A climax is something that reaches an insurmountable level. The term, of Latin origin, means “that surpasses the limits of the vessel.”
In colloquial language , it is used as a form of exaggeration . A “colmo” indicates an unacceptable absurdity that causes discontent or displeasure in the person uttering it. For example: ” It’s the last straw that the prices in this store keep increasing when the products are increasingly of lower quality .”
- It may help you: Emphasis
The heights as jokes
Colmos are usually used as a joke or a joke about something absurd. They begin with an initial question that the recipient must answer or guess (although the question is usually answered by the sender). For example: What is the ultimate death knell of a murderer? Wanting to kill time.
The last straw, in this sense, has something of a metaphorical quality , since it uses a term that does not correspond to the semantic field of the question:
What’s the ultimate firefighter? Having a fiery wife, a squirting son, and a hose-like daughter .
In this example, the term “ardent” should be applied in another context or semantic field: one that refers to a hot or seductive woman. The term “jet” refers to a criminal or thief, and the term “hose” refers to an adjective for someone who “demands or demands excessively.”
However, all three terms (burning, jet, and hose) are related to the semantic field “firefighter.” Consequently, all three terms relate to characteristics of the firefighter in relation to their work: burning because the firefighter must put out fires; jet because they use a jet of water to put out fires; and hose because they use it to put out fires.
- You may find this helpful: Difficult riddles (with their answers)
Examples of extremes (unacceptable absurdity)
- That MPs raise their monthly salaries even when the country is going through a crisis is the last straw!
- The food at this restaurant is expensive and the portions are getting smaller and smaller, this is the last straw!
- It’s the last straw that, at Christmas time, store prices rise considerably only to drop a week later.
Examples of jokes
- What’s the worst thing for a builder? Being called Armando Torres.
- What’s the worst thing for a gardener? Having a girlfriend named Jasmine who dumps him.
- What’s the ultimate in Sleeping Beauty? Not hearing your alarm clock.
- What’s the worst thing about capital cities? Living in Stockholm, Sweden (Esto-Celmo).
- What’s the ultimate in contempt? A mute telling a deaf person that a blind person is looking at him.
- What’s the ultimate in a robot? Having nerves of steel.
- What’s the ultimate in astronaut misery? Having a lunatic wife.
- What’s the ultimate in astronomy? Falling in love with a movie star.
- What’s the last straw for a ship? Having to stop dead in its tracks.
- What’s the worst thing about a horse? Having a saddle but not being able to sit down.
- What’s the ultimate goal for an electrician? Marrying a woman named “Luz” and having children who follow his lead.
- What’s the worst thing for a cat? Having a bad day.
- What’s the ultimate in being a giant? Having an inferiority complex.
- What’s the ultimate in selfishness for a player? Not wanting to play a friendly match.
- What’s the worst thing for a thief? Having a son who’s a police officer.
- What’s the worst thing for a book? Losing its leaves in autumn.
- What’s the ultimate in a mathematician’s life? Having gallstones in your gallbladder.
- What’s the worst thing for a meteorologist? Not having time.
- What’s the ultimate in carpentry? Having a comfortable daughter.
- What’s the worst thing for a police officer? Having two wives.
- What’s the ultimate in a politician? Being called Armando Escándalos.
- What’s the worst thing for a worker bee? Being allergic to pollen.
- What’s the ultimate shame for a funeral home? Having to close the business due to financial loss.
- What’s the worst thing about a chicken? It has feathers and can’t write.
- What is the tiniest last straw? The tusk.
