Paraprosdokian

Pronunciation: /ˌpærəprɑːsˈdoʊkiən/

Definitions of paraprosdokian

noun A figure of speech in which the latter part of a sentence or phrase is surprising or unexpected

Example Sentences

A1 I heard a paraprosdokian joke that made me laugh.

A2 The comedian's use of paraprosdokian in his routine kept the audience entertained.

B1 Understanding the humor in paraprosdokian statements can be challenging for some people.

B2 The author's clever use of paraprosdokian added depth to the novel.

C1 His talent for crafting paraprosdokian phrases made him a popular speaker.

C2 The politician's skillful use of paraprosdokian helped him connect with voters on a deeper level.

adjective Describing a sentence or phrase that ends in an unexpected or humorous way

Example Sentences

A1 I heard a paraprosdokian joke that made me laugh.

A2 The comedian's paraprosdokian humor kept the audience entertained.

B1 Her paraprosdokian wit added a clever twist to her speech.

B2 The writer's use of paraprosdokian phrases made the novel more engaging.

C1 The politician's paraprosdokian remarks were both witty and thought-provoking.

C2 The playwright's paraprosdokian dialogue added depth to the characters in the play.

Examples of paraprosdokian in a Sentence

formal The use of paraprosdokian in literature adds a unique twist to the narrative.

informal I love how comedians use paraprosdokian to catch the audience off guard with unexpected endings.

slang Paraprosdokian is like the ultimate plot twist in a joke.

figurative Life is full of paraprosdokian moments where things take an unexpected turn.

Grammatical Forms of paraprosdokian

• past tense: paraprosdokianed
• plural: paraprosdokians
• comparative: more paraprosdokian
• superlative: most paraprosdokian
• present tense: paraprosdokians
• future tense: will paraprosdokian
• perfect tense: have paraprosdokianed
• continuous tense: is paraprosdokianing
• singular: paraprosdokian
• positive degree: paraprosdokian
• infinitive: to paraprosdokian
• gerund: paraprosdokianing
• participle: paraprosdokianed

Origin and Evolution of paraprosdokian

First Known Use: 0020 year

Language of Origin: Greek

Story behind the word: The word 'paraprosdokian' is derived from the Greek words 'para' meaning 'against' and 'prosdokia' meaning 'expectation.'

Evolution of the word: The term 'paraprosdokian' was first used in the 20th century to describe a figure of speech where the latter part of a sentence or phrase is surprising or unexpected, often humorous. It has since become popular in comedy and writing for its ability to create a twist in meaning and catch the audience off guard.