paraprosdokians

[doogles]

PARAPROSDOKIANS
I’m in my 80s and today is the first time I’ve heard the word.
Wikipedia (See https://www.englishforums.com/content/h ... okians.htm ) defines it and lists 37 examples. “A paraprosdokian is a figure of speech in which the latter part of a sentence or phrase is surprising or unexpected in a way that causes the reader or listener to re-frame or re-interpret the first part. It is frequently used for humorous or dramatic effect. For this reason, it is extremely popular among comedians and satirists.”

I actually thought that this was the basis of all jokes and humour. But that aside, ------- I believe that a few of the 37 examples that were quoted in Wikipedia would be useful when responding to some posts in this forum ---

If I agreed with you, we'd both be wrong.

War does not determine who is right - only who is left.

Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit; Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.

To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism. To steal from many is research.

The voices in my head may not be real, but they have some good ideas!

I used to be indecisive. Now I'm not sure.

You're never too old to learn something stupid.

Nostalgia isn't what it used to be.

Some people hear voices; some see invisible people. Others have no imagination whatsoever.

[Braininvat]

To err is human, but it takes a computer to really f--- things up.

[Positor]

If you pray, God helps you. If you don't, God help you.

Mrs Thatcher was called the Iron Lady, but deep down she had a heart of stone.

You should be philosophical and not dwell on life's difficulties – unless you're a philosopher.

My father reprimanded me sharply, but my mother wasn't like that. She reprimanded me bluntly.

[Dave_Oblad]

Hi all,

"If I agreed with you, we'd both be wrong."..lol.

I gotta remember that one.

Best wishes,
Dave :^)

[doogles]

I found myself chuckling for some minutes after reading this one Positor - My father reprimanded me sharply, but my mother wasn't like that. She reprimanded me bluntly. Thank you.

Here a few more I found

Where there's a will, I want to be in it.

I didn't say it was your fault, I said I was blaming you.

I'm supposed to respect my elders, but it’s getting harder and harder for me to find one now.

I am not arguing with you, I am explaining why you are wrong.

[Braininvat]

I have wanted to reach for that last one, on several occasions here. Heh heh.