What on earth are paraprosdokians?
Other than being a fantastic word to say, they refer to a phrase that consists of two parts. The first part seems innocent enough, but the second part subverts the meaning of the first part and flips the interpretation on its head.
Here are some of my favourites!
- “A modest man, who has much to be modest about.” – Winston Churchill, supposedly about Clement Attlee
- War doesn’t determine who is right, but only who is left.
- Always borrow money from a pessimist. He won’t expect it back.
- Some people cause happiness wherever they go; others, whenever they go.
- If I saw things from your perspective, then we’d both be wrong.
- The last thing I want to do is offend you, but it’s still on my list.
- It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open one’s mouth and remove all doubt. (Attributed to Abraham Lincoln, though it is remarkably similar to the biblical proverb: “Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise; When he closes his lips, he is considered prudent” (Proverbs 17:28 NAS).)
- I’m missing my ex-wife, but my aim is improving.
- I’m reading a book on anti-gravity, and I can’t put it down.
- Any man who can drive safely while kissing a pretty girl is simply not giving the kiss the attention it deserves. (Attributed to Albert Einstein.)
- I asked God for a Bentley, but I knew God doesn’t work that way. So I stole a Bentley and asked for His forgiveness.
Obviously, paraprosdokians are the bread and butter of comedy – but now you know what they’re called!
Read about them here: https://english.stackexchange.com/questions/178956/two-part-phrases-official-term
Daring To Jess 
I will definitely read this over and over again. I’m in love with it. It’s like that anti-gravity book you’re reading, I “can’t put this down” either. And while my aim is to improve, I keep missing this post bc it makes me happy whenever and wherever haha
LikeLiked by 2 people
Haha thank you! And very cheeky reusing of the paraprosdokians 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve always liked: Some people cause happiness wherever they go; others whenever they go, because it’s so true! 🙌 Loved learning about paraprosdokians as I never knew they all grouped together/fell underneath a title 😯 so interesting! Now I can end the day on a high feeling like I’ve learned something so yay! 😂 Great post 💕
LikeLiked by 3 people
Ahaha thank you so much Elsie! I was also amazed to find out that they all had a name too xD they’re just my kind of wit – wordplay and subversion of what you expect 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
So awesome… All these phrasese are insanely cool! Laughed loudly at the list one xD!
They’re kinda like more mischievious, tricky puns if you think about it…
✨✨✨
LikeLiked by 4 people
Yes you’re so right! They are just like puns in that they’re about wordplay, but they also add in the wit of subverting expectations 😉 Thanks for reading 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh I loved them, thanks for this Jess.
LikeLiked by 3 people
You’re so welcome, thanks for reading!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Awesome! I’ve come across most of these lines but never knew there a word for these kind of lines. I learnt something new today!
Thank you and nice to meet you, Jess 🙂
LikeLiked by 3 people
You’re very welcome! I liked that they all had a name – and funnily enough, the name comes from Greek (as I found out from my best friend who studies Classics) ‘παρα’ means ‘contrary to’ and ‘προσδοκια’ means ‘expectation’!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s interesting!! And thanks for sharing this with me, Jess!
LikeLiked by 1 person
My pleasure!
LikeLiked by 1 person
And it’s nice to meet you too Nathi 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks Jess, these are a lot of fun!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re very welcome! I enjoyed discovering and writing about them too hehe
LikeLike