John Dennis, an early 18th century playwright and critic, once sneered, “A pun is the lowest form of wit.” Three centuries later, Henry Erskine riposted, “If a pun is the lowest form of wit, it is, therefore, the foundation of all wit!” Oscar Levant added the tagline “A pun is the lowest form of […]
Legend has it that Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, drove the snakes out of Ireland, although in fact snakes were never there. The story may be referring to Patrick’s expelling the Druidic religion and bringing Christianity to the Emerald Isle. Patrick died on March 17, A.D. 460, and the Catholic Church made […]
In our exuberant country we celebrate just about everything, so it may come as no surprise to you that tomorrow, March 4, pun-up girls and pun gents observe National Pun Day. According to a YouGov.com survey of 8,314 U.S, adults, most Americans appreciate and even adore puns. The study shows that 38 percent of […]
Recently I shared with you my favorite epitaphs, both eloquent and humorous. Then I invited my San Diego readers to wing me their original creations. My verbally dexterous and psychically mobile readers, responded with more than 60 epitaphs, the last words in deathly prose, marked by grave humor and deep plots. Unlike pallbearers, they […]
This is my 300th installment of “Lederer on Language,” which began life in this space on May 12, 2012. As one frog said to the other, “Time’s fun when you’re having flies!” Let’s have some flies today. Dear Mr. Lederer: I was wondering if you had thoughts on why ruthless is a common word […]
Last week in this space we toured a row of eloquent epitaphs. Although you may find the humor a bit grave and the plots too deep, I am pleased to unveil some of the English-speaking world’s funniest epitaphs. Let’s start our expedition with epitaphs that demonstrate how some folk take their jobs with them […]
Last week in this space I presented some deathless prose — my favorite famous last words that, undimmed by time, strike us as especially humorous or noble. But the exit lines that we utter from our deathbed are not necessarily our last words to the world. Our final message can be the epitaph (from […]
DEAR MR. LEDERER: I’m fascinated by the famous last words that people say. What are your favorites? -Bob Hermann, Rancho Santa Fe As William Shakespeare noted in his tragedy “Hamlet,” “All that lives must die passing through nature to eternity,” where we enter “the undiscovered country from whose bourn no traveler returns.” As they […]
DEAR MR. LEDERER: Please clarify the distinction between bad and badly. My question is especially relevant now that recently accused politicians are “feeling badly.” Isn’t that what got them in trouble? – De Vee Lange, Scripps Ranch The adjective bad, meaning “unpleasant, unattractive, unfavorable, spoiled,” is the usual form following such linking verbs as look, […]
Have you heard about the cross-eyed teacher? She couldn’t control her pupils. That pun plays on the two meanings of the word pupil. The first, “a student,” is borrowed from the Latin pupillus, “orphan, ward, minor.” The second meaning boasts a more enchanting etymology: In ancient Rome, the pupilla, “little doll,” was a diminutive of […]