Scratch Your Head Over These!

Posted by Pat on July 20, 2014 in Uncategorized |

Some OxymoronsEver wondered why some of these sayings don’t seem to really make sense?

And how about

  • plastic glass,
  • a definite maybe,
  • or military intelligence!

Each of these is called an oxymoron. A dictionary defines them as “a combination of contradictory or incongruous words.”

Still another dictionary defines an oxymoron as a “wittily paradoxical turn of phrase that appeals to ‘unconscious responses’ instead of rational examinations.” Wow!

The word is said to have originated from the Greek words, oxy, meaning ‘sharp, pointed’ and the word moros that meant ‘dull or foolish’.

Think about:

  • small crowd,
  • original copy,
  • exact estimate.

And have you ever seen a sign like this that made you smile?

oxymoron sign

 Or how about this one?

oxymoron sign

Why do we use phrases that do not seem to make any logical sense?

For dramatic effect?

For entertainment?

Adding flavor to speech?

(Or just for fun?!)

 

And here are some of my favorite sentences and quotations that make use of oxymorons.

“I can resist anything, except temptation.” Oscar Wilde

“Modern dancing is so old fashioned.” Samuel Goldwyn

“I am a deeply superficial person.” Andy Warhol

“No one goes to that restaurant anymore-it’s always too crowded.” Yogi Berra

Word play is fun and it’s always a delight to me when I come across new plays with words and ideas.

Do you have any oxymorons that you’ve heard or read that you could share?

 

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