A pun, also called paronomasia, involves a word play which suggests two or more meanings, by exploiting multiple meanings of words, or of similar-sounding words, for an intended humorous or rhetorical effect. Puns are constructions used in jokes and idioms whose usage and meaning are entirely local to a particular language and its culture. To be understood, puns require a large vocabulary. Puns may be regarded as in-jokes or idiomatic constructions, given that their usage and meaning are entirely local to a particular language and its culture. Many puns rely on simple homophones (words that sound alike); for instance, "atheism is a non-prophet [non-profit] organization."

Puns throughout works of literature add so much to the way the text may be interpreted, and underscore the cleverness of the characters and those who wrote the characters. Brilliant minds from Jesus Christ to Shakespeare used puns to great effect, and these puns continue to resonate with new readers. Other 'Masters of Pun' include, Walter Redfern, Oscar Wilde and famous Roman playwright, Plautus. Apart from being witty and humorous, puns add profound meanings to the texts and shapes the way in which the text is interpreted by the readers. By playing with the words, the writers reveal the cleverness of their characters and of course of their own. Besides, puns in a literary works act as a source of comic relief or an intentional effort on the part of the writer to show his or her creative ability in using language.

Not Found

Pun Examples