Pun

A pun is a form of wordplay that exploits multiple meanings of a word, or of similar-sounding words, for an intended humorous or rhetorical effect. This linguistic device relies on homophones (words with the same pronunciation but different meanings), homographs (words with the same spelling but different meanings), or words with multiple meanings. The humor in a pun often arises from the unexpected juxtaposition of these meanings, creating a surprising connection or contrast. The effectiveness of a pun depends on the context and the audience's understanding of the words and their potential interpretations. Puns can be found in literature, everyday conversation, advertising, and various forms of entertainment.

Pun meaning with examples

• Why don't scientists trust atoms? Because they make up everything! This pun plays on 'make up', having two meanings. The first meaning relates to how atoms are the basic building blocks of matter. The second meaning hints at the atoms inventing and lying about the 'everything'. This unexpected connection generates the humor and shows this linguistic device well.
• I used to hate facial hair, but then it grew on me. Here, the humor comes from 'grew on me'. The expression usually relates to liking something gradually, but the pun cleverly uses it in its literal sense of growing hair on a face. This combination of figurative and literal interpretation is a clever display of this device.
• A bicycle can't stand on its own because it is two tired! This simple pun plays on the homophone 'two' and 'too' (tired). The humor resides in the unexpected word choice, and it is this association between sound similarity that is the core of this device. The silly nature of the statement is very common in the world of pun's.
• I told my wife she was drawing her eyebrows too high. She seemed surprised! This is a play on the word 'high'. When something is 'high', it's elevated, but the pun references that she seemed 'high' from use of recreational drugs. The joke’s appeal lies in the playful subversion of expectations.
• Why did the golfer bring two pairs of pants? In case he got a hole-in-one! This pun uses the wordplay of 'hole-in-one'. It plays on the double meaning of a 'hole' in the pants, as well as the more common golf term. This duality is a good illustration of how the language technique operates.