Do you want to add some humorous tone to your writings? Well, if yes then you can use puns in your writing. Different writers use puns to add a humorous tone to their work. Are you confused about what a pun actually is? Well, here in this article, you will find ‘Pun Figure of Speech’ meaning with some examples.
‘Pun’ Figure of Speech?
A pun is a figure of speech that plays with the words to have multiple meanings. The words are arranged in such a way to create a humorous or rhetorical effect. The pun is also known as paronomasia. That is derived from the Greek word ‘paronimazein’ that means a change in name.
Importance of Pun
The point of this is to add a humorous tone to the writing. Sometimes the plot may get heavy-handed and this is where pun can create a humorous tone in your writing.
We find them interesting as it activates the puzzle-solving ability of the brain and then general humour. The puns are a little confusing and require little attention from us. When we solve it, we laugh. Doing this is not the right tone for formal essays but surely to try in creative pieces.
Moreover, the use of pens is not recent but in ancient Sumerian and Egyptian literature, you can find the systems of punning.
Types of Puns: Figure of Speech:
There are three main types:
- Homographic
- Homophonic
- Homonymic
Homographic Puns:
This type plays with words that have different meanings and pronunciations, but similar spellings.
Homophonic Puns:
this type plays with words with a similar sound but different spellings.
Homonymic Puns:
this type has the same sound and spellings but different meanings.
Also Read: Modern English Words Used in Conversation: Let’s Learn Effective English Speaking Ethics!
Other Types of Puns:
Compound Puns:
This type has more than one pun in the same sentence.
Recursive Pun:
This pun is a two-part pun. One has to understand the first part to understand the other one.
Visual Pun:
This includes imagery, graphics and logos.
Also Read: What is the Personification Figure of Speech? Let’s Learn English Grammar to Communicate Better
Some Puns Examples:
- A boiled egg is hard to beat.
- The grammar book has a lot of comma sense.
- Leopards cannot hide in the jungle as they are always spotted.
- That was an emotional wedding, even the cake was in tiers.
- The opinion of elephants is important, why? Because his opinions are heavyweight.
- A bicycle can never run because it is two tired.
- Never write with a broken pencil because it is pointless.
- What would you call a sleeping bull? Bulldozer
- Never pamper your cow because it will give spoiled milk.
- It is raining cats and dogs out, don’t step on the poodle.
- Cats are a wonderful species because they are purr-sonalities.
- Fishes are the most educated animals because they live in schools.
Puns Figure of Speech Examples in Literature
1. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland:
“And how many hours a day did you do lessons?” asked Alice, in a hurry to change the subject.
“Ten hours the first day,” said the Mock Turtle: “nine the next, and so on.”
“What a curious plan!” exclaimed Alice.
“That’s the reason they’re called lessons,” the gryphon remarked: “because they lessen from day to day.”
2. Shakespeare’s Hamlet:
CLAUDIUS
How is it that the clouds still hang on you?
HAMLET
Not so, my lord. I am too much i’ the sun.
3. Romeo and Juliet:
No, ’tis not so deep as a well nor so wide as a church-door, but ’tis enough, ’twill serve. Ask for me tomorrow, and you shall find me a grave man.
4. Pragmatist by Edmund Conti:
” Apocalypse soon
Coming our way
Ground zero at noon
Halve a nice day.”
5. Design by Robert Frost:
“What had the flower to do with being white,
The wayside blue and innocent heal-all?
What brought the kindred spider to that height,
Then steered the white moth thither in the night?
What but design of darkness to appall? –
If design governs in a thing so small.”
6. Othello by Shakespeare:
“DESDEMONA. Do you know, sirrah, where Lieutenant Cassio lies?
CLOWN. I dare not say he lies anywhere.
DESDEMONA. Why, man?
CLOWN: He’s a soldier, and for one to say a soldier lies, ’tis stabbing.”
7. Hymn to God the Father:
“I have a sin of fear, that when I have spun
My last thread, I shall perish on the shore;
But swear by Thy self, that at my death Thy son
And having done that, Thou hast done;
I fear no more”
Puns in Quotes
“You can tune a guitar, but you can’t tuna fish. Unless, of course, you play bass.” – Douglas Adam
“Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.” – Groucho Marx
“Hanging is too good for a man who makes puns; he should be drawn and quoted.” – Fred Allen
“Denial ain’t just a river in Egypt.” – Mark Twai
“Atheism is a non-prophet institution.” – George Carlin
“I saw a documentary on how ships are kept together. Riveting!” – Stewart Francis
Also Read: Also Read: Simile Figure of Speech: Examples of Simile Figure of Speech
Conclusion
I hope you got a brief insight into different types of pun figures of speech meaning and examples. For more such articles, visit The Fluent Life website. This website offers you affordable and customized courses to help you improve your English skills. You can visit the website now and enrol yourself for the free demo classes now.
FAQs
1. What is a pun in the context of figures of speech?
A: A pun is a form of wordplay that exploits multiple meanings of a word or words that sound similar but have different meanings. It’s used for humorous or rhetorical effect.
2. Can you provide examples of puns in everyday language?
A: Sure! Here are a couple of examples: “I’m reading a book on anti-gravity. It’s impossible to put down!” or “I told my wife she should embrace her mistakes. She gave me a hug.”
3. How do puns add humor or depth to language?
A: Puns create humor by using the multiple meanings or sounds of words to evoke amusement or wit. They often play with language in a clever or unexpected way, making the listener or reader think about the word’s various meanings.
4. Are there different types of puns in figures of speech?
A: Yes, there are various types of puns including homophonic puns (using words that sound alike), homographic puns (using words that are spelled the same), and homonymic puns (using words that are both spelled and sound alike).
5. How can one effectively create or use puns in conversation or writing?
A: To create or use puns effectively, consider wordplay and the multiple meanings or sounds of words. Try finding words with double entendre or similar sounds but different meanings. Use them in a way that fits the context while adding humor or a clever twist to your conversation or writing. Practice and exposure to puns in literature or everyday language can aid in mastering their use.
