Message Forum: Re: What do you call them?

Re: What do you call them?

Posted By: Howard, on host 209.86.12.87
Date: Sunday, December 16, 2001, at 10:41:08
In Reply To: Re: What do you call them? posted by Faux Pas on Sunday, December 16, 2001, at 06:58:19:

> > I've always liked sentences like these:
> > Lightning is a very striking form of electricity.
> > She was shocked to find that the TV set was still plugged in.
> > Is there a name for them? What do you call sentences like that?
> > Howard
>
> "Howardisms"
>
> -FP

Ah, yes! I remember now. In my junior English book it said that sentences like these were called Howardisms and were "much better than a mere Tom Swifty." It is a sentence that includes at least one word that has a double meaning, and both meanings are applicable.

The good ol' boy noticed that the air had flat cleared outta that tire.

Better than:
"The air has escaped from the tire," Tom said flatly.
Howard

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Message:	> > > I've always liked sentences like these: > > > Lightning is a very striking form of electricity. > > > She was shocked to find that the TV set was still plugged in. > > > Is there a name for them? What do you call sentences like that? > > > Howard > > > > "Howardisms" > > > > -FP > > Ah, yes! I remember now. In my junior English book it said that sentences like these were called Howardisms and were "much better than a mere Tom Swifty." It is a sentence that includes at least one word that has a double meaning, and both meanings are applicable. > > The good ol' boy noticed that the air had flat cleared outta that tire. > > Better than: > "The air has escaped from the tire," Tom said flatly. > Howard
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