zeugma [ˈzugmə] n.
1.) The use of a word in the same grammatical relation to two nearby words, one having a metaphorical sense and the other a literal sense (Garner's Modern American Usage 3rd Edition).
Etymology: modern Latin, adoption of Greek ζεῦγµα, a yoking, from ζευγνύναι, to yoke, related to ζυγόν, yoke (of land).
"This day, black Omens threat the brightest Fair,
That e'er deserv'd a watchful spirit's care;
Some dire disaster, or by force, or slight;
But what, or where, the fates have wrapt in night.
Whether the nymph shall break Diana's law,
Or some frail China jar receive a flaw;
Or stain her honour or her new brocade;
Forget her pray'rs, or miss a masquerade;
Or lose her heart, or necklace, at a ball;
Or whether Heav'n has doom'd that Shock must fall."
(The Rape of the Lock, Alexander Pope, 1717)
(Plöjningen, Carl Larsson, 1905)
4 comments:
Is this too hard for the layman to understand or have I had too much wine?
p.s: only when there's no or little traffic
I was going to second Evi's comment, but then I got it. Clever! Wouldn't think of that, but that's why I'm not a writer.
As I am not nearly clever enough for zeugma in my own writing, I will substitute with heavy doses of flatulent humor to compensate.
I think I got it, will I remember it? Probably not!
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