Paraprosdokian: Unexpected Humor

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Today’s article is a repost from March, 2011. These just crack me up.

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Thanks to Steve, the father of a WriteAtHome student, for the following:Man with Laughing Mask

A paraprosdokian (from the Greek meaning “beyond expectation”‘) is a figure of speech in which the latter part of a sentence or phrase is unexpected in a way that causes the reader or listener to reframe or reinterpret the first part. Here are a few good ones…..

  • The last thing I want to do is hurt you. But it’s still on my list. 

  • Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak. 

  • If I agreed with you, we’d both be wrong. (Steve Tyler said this to Randy on American Idol this week.)

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

  • Evening news is where they begin with ‘Good Evening,’ and then proceed to tell you why it isn’t.

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

  • A bus station is where a bus stops. A train station is where a train stops. On my desk, I have a work station. 

  • I thought I wanted a career. Turns out I just wanted paychecks.

  • Whenever I fill out an application, in the part that says, “In case of emergency, notify:” I put “DOCTOR.”

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

  • A clear conscience is the sign of a fuzzy memory. 

  • You do not need a parachute to skydive. You only need a parachute to skydive twice.

  • There’s a fine line between cuddling and holding someone down so they can’t get away. 

  • I used to be indecisive. Now I’m not so sure.

  • To be sure of hitting the target, shoot first and call whatever you hit the target. 

  • Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine. 

  • Hospitality is making your guests feel at home even when you wish they were.

Steve got these from Wikipedia and from The Blue Book Blog.

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About the Author

Brian WaskoBrian is the founder and president of WriteAtHome.com. One of his passions is to teach young people how to write better.View all posts by Brian Wasko

  1. porcentaje exito ovodonacion ivi valencia
    porcentaje exito ovodonacion ivi valencia07-22-2016

    Les quiero contar un asunto cercano (opción que no nos planteó Balmaceda pero sé que está tb) de una chica (luego
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  2. Lena Whitson
    Lena Whitson08-22-2012

    I know he’s strong, but smell isn’t everything.

  3. Robert
    Robert08-20-2012

    I win, but thanks for playing.

  4. Robert
    Robert08-20-2012

    Thanks for culling some good humor for us! You personally may not be that funny, Brian, but at least you’re short.

    • Brian Wasko
      Brian Wasko08-20-2012

      You, on the other hand, are very funny, Robert. But looks aren’t everything.

  5. Casey Heard
    Casey Heard03-15-2011

    Thoroughly enjoyed this 🙂

  6. Abigail
    Abigail03-08-2011

    Fun post 🙂 Here’s a couple others…

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

    Always borrow money from a pessimist. He won’t expect it back.

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