A pun is a rhetorical figure characterized by altering the conjunction of words to subsequently modify the meaning of a sentence. It’s a play on words that completely alters the meaning of a sentence by changing the order of some letters or words. For example: Between the white carnation and the red rose, your majesty chooses. / Between the white carnation and the red rose, your majesty is lame.
This is the most famous pun in history. It was uttered by Francisco de Quevedo to Queen Mariana of Austria, the second wife of Philip IV and daughter of Ferdinand III, who, admittedly, was lame. In the first statement, Quevedo simply offers the queen two flowers to choose from, while in the second, he clearly indicates that the queen has one leg shorter than the other, i.e., she is lame.
This distinction is visible in writing, but not in spoken language. Therefore, puns utilize what is not detectable in spoken language but is visible in written language.
- It may be useful to you: Rhetorical or literary figures
Origin of the pun
The pun is a figure of speech, and its origin is not entirely precise. Some attribute this linguistic device to Georges de Bièvre (at the court of Louis XVI) for the Count of Kalemburg, ambassador of Westphalia, whom he used this method to subtly mock for his poor command of French.
Another school of thought claims that the term derives from the Arabic word kalembusu , meaning “equivocal word.” Finally, some argue that the name derives from the Italian calamo burlare , meaning “to mock with the pen.”
Characteristics of the pun
- The metaphorical or figurative sense. This is the use of metaphors or certain words with meanings other than the dictionary definition.
- Double meaning. This is the use given to a sentence when it has more than one meaning.
- Paronymy. Two words that are related to each other by their sound.
- Homophony. This occurs when two words have the same pronunciation, even though their meaning and spelling are different.
- Polysemy. This is the use of words that have more than one meaning.
- Homonymy. This occurs when two words are spelled and pronounced the same, but have different meanings.
- Irony. It consists of saying something in contrary words, but at the same time seeking the complicity of the recipient of the message.
Examples of puns
- Hail! Caesar of Rome. / Sometimes Rome burns.
- What a week! / Go away, bro.
- Why did he wash the wheel? / Why does the ball roll?
- Aitor Tilla / There is tortilla.
- Alberto Carlos Bustos. / Seeing the busts being played.
- Alex Tintor / To the fire extinguisher.
- Armando Esteban Quito. / Putting together this little bench.
- Diners / Eat salts.
- Pour yourself some tea.
- The Commander / The walking coma.
- Count Scotus is neither a Count nor a Scotus. / Count Scotus neither hides nor is a preserve.
- The IRA militant. / The militant is delirious.
- The bread is talking. / The bread is soft.
- Elsa Bor de Lencuentro. / The taste of encounter
- I train in a racing car. / By train or by racing car.
- Great milestones. / Little ones.
- Crossed threads. / And the crossed ones.
- Yesterday’s works. / yesterday’s leftovers.
- More expensive. / Mask.
- My mother was laughing. / My mother is sweeping.
- My neighbor hides. / My neighbor is a count.
- Don’t be bored. / Don’t be stupid.
- Serapio Joso. / He must be lousy.
- Servile, lethal, impious. / Clean napkin.
- If the King does not die. / The Kingdom dies.
- If I take it away, she hunts it down. / If I (am) crazy, she goes crazy.
- If I saw. / If it rained.
- All because you laugh / All rubbish.
- I want a tea. / I love you.
- I’m crazy, crazy, and she’s crazy. / I put it on and she takes it off.
Other examples of puns
- Joke. At an employment office, someone is looking for a job: “Are you interested in gardening?” “I’d rather leave money? Not a chance! What a shame!”
- Joke. Hello, my name is Enrique Cimiento (enrichment).
- Riddle. The curtain opens and a burning nun appears. The curtain closes. What is the title of the play? – Surprised (Sor prender).
- Riddle. And it is, and it is… whoever doesn’t guess it is a fool… (the thread)
