A paraprosdokian is a humorous figure of speech in which the latter part of an expression takes a surprising turn, requiring the audience to reframe the first part.

Paraprosdokian example

“Where there’s a will, I want to be in it.”

Examples of paraprosdokians are typically found in everyday jokes, literature, or performance art (e.g., stand-up comedy, TV, or film).

Paraprosdokian definition

A paraprosdokian is a rhetorical device in which the end of a statement has an unexpected twist, prompting the audience to reinterpret its beginning.

Paraprosdokians are found in humorous literature and film, often as part of witty banter between characters. While paraprosdokians are typically funny, they can also be used in contexts like satire and aphorisms.

How to use paraprosdokians

To use paraprosdokians, start with a phrase or statement that sets up an expectation. Using part of a familiar saying can be particularly effective. Then, finish with an unexpected twist (e.g., a play on words or other subversion of the expected meaning).

Remember to be concise, as brevity enhances the impact of humor. Be sure to use paraprosdokians in appropriate contexts such as jokes, speeches, dialogue, or writing where wit and cleverness are valued.

Paraprosdokian examples

Examples of paraprosdokians are typically found in comedy. These jokes are used in everyday conversations, stand-up performances, films, and TV shows.

Paraprosdokian jokes

• I did not attend the funeral, but I sent a nice letter saying I approved of it.

• If at first you don’t succeed, then skydiving definitely isn’t for you.

• Hospitality is making your guests feel like they’re at home even if you wish they were.

• I wondered why the baseball was getting bigger. Then it hit me.

In literature, paraprosdokian is an engaging rhetorical device that can convey humor, philosophical insight, or satire.

Paraprosdokian examples in literature

“All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.” —George Orwell, Animal Farm

This famous example of paraprosdokian subverts expectations by introducing the concept of some animals being “more equal” than others, creating a satirical twist on the notion of equality in a totalitarian context.

Paraprosdokians vs puns

Puns are often an essential part of paraprosdokians, helping them achieve their surprise twists. For example, the joke “Where there’s a will, I want to be in it” relies on the dual meanings of “will.”

However, paraprosdokians and puns don’t always occur together.

• Puns specifically play on the multiple meanings of a single word or a pair of similar-sounding words.

• Example: “My math teacher’s favorite dessert is pi.”

• Paraprosdokians can include various kinds of unexpected twists, not always involving words with double meanings. They often involving entire phrases or sentences that create false expectations.

• Example: “I am not afraid of death; I just don’t want to be there when it happens.”

Rhetorical devices similar to paraprosdokian

Several rhetorical devices tend to overlap with paraprosdokian despite their distinct definitions. These include puns, double entendres, paradoxes, and anticlimax:

• Pun: A play on words with multiple meanings (e.g., “Broken pencils are pointless.”)

• Double entendre: An expression with a risqué secondary meaning (e.g., “If I said you had a beautiful body, would you hold it against me?”)

• Paradox: A seemingly contradictory statement that reveals a truth (e.g., “I can resist anything except temptation.”)

• Anticlimax: As a rhetorical device, a sudden shift from the serious or profound to the trivial (e.g., “He lost his family, his fortune, and his keys.”)

Frequently asked questions about paraprosdokian

Shabo, M. (2024, June 17). Paraprosdokian | Examples & Definition. Scribbr. Retrieved June 18, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/rhetoric/paraprosdokian/

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