Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Paraprosdokian sentences

A "paraprosdokian" is a figure of speech in which the latter part of a sentence or phrase is surprising or unexpected in a way that causes the reader or listener to reframe or reinterpret the first part. It is frequently used for humorous or dramatic effect.

  • Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.
  • I want to die peacefully in my sleep, like my grandfather. Not screaming and yelling like the passengers in his car.
  • The last thing I want to do is hurt you. But it's still on the list.
  • If I agreed with you, we'd both be wrong.
  • We never really grow up; we only learn how to act in public.
  • Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit; Wisdom is not putting it in fruit salad.

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