word play Flashcards
oxymoron
a figure of speech in which apparently contradictory terms appear in conjunction
pun
a joke exploiting the different possible meanings of a word or the fact that there are words which sound alike but have different meanings.
anthimeria
using one part of speech as another, such as using a noun as a verb:
euphemism
a mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt when referring to something unpleasant or embarrassing.
jargon
special words or expressions that are used by a particular profession or group and are difficult for others to understand.
vernacular
the language or dialect spoken by the ordinary people in a particular country or region.
dialect
a particular form of a language which is peculiar to a specific region or social group.
implication / inference
To imply is to hint at something, and to infer is to make an educated guess at what someone means.
epiphany
a visionary moment when a character has a sudden insight or realization that changes their understanding of themselves or their comprehension of the world.
cliche
a phrase or opinion that is overused and betrays a lack of original thought.
idiom
a group of words established by usage as having a meaning not deducible from those of the individual words
aphorism
a pithy observation that contains a general truth, such as, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”.
adage
a proverb or short statement expressing a general truth.
maxim
a short, pithy statement expressing a general truth or rule of conduct.
malapropism
the mistaken use of a word in place of a similar-sounding one, often with unintentionally amusing effect
