《英语修辞学》第七章.ppt

Page * (4) Puns based on homophones Sign on a Men’s Gym door: “We have courses to make grown men young and young men groan.” What’s increasingly lucrative, however, is selling naming rights. It may not make sense, but it makes some cents. Americans care about money. On Sunday they pray for you and on Monday they prey on you. When a woman complained to a butcher that these sausages tasted like meat at one end but like bread crumb at the other, he replies, “Madam, in times like these, no butcher can make both ends meet.” Page * “Waiter!” “Yes, sir.” “What’s this?” “It’s bean soup, sir.” “No matter what it’s been, what is it now?” “Waiter, there is a hair in my soup.” “So sorry, sir. Did you order it without ?” Page * (5) Puns are closely linked with other figures of speech For example: “Where have you been for the last four years?” “At college taking medicine.” “And did you get well?” Page * (6) Pun is a device of humor. Puns are often used in riddles, jokes, newspaper headlines, advertisement, etc. For example, How do you keep cool at a football game? Sit next to a fan. Why should a man never tell his secret in a corn field? Because it has so many ears. The purest audio for the audio purist. (Ad. for SHARP, 2002) Why is a crow a brave bird? Because it never shows a white feather (胆怯,白羽毛(怯懦的象征). Page * How’s Business? Tailor: Just sew-sew. Electrician: It’s pretty light. Farmer: Mine is growing. Dustman: It’s picking up. Refrigerator Salesman: Not so hot. Astronomer: It’s looking up. Lift operator: It has its ups and downs. Optician: It’s looking better. Author: Mine is all write. Page * E.g. Customer: I would like a book, please. Bookseller: something light? Customer: That doesn’t matter. I have my car with me. (light “轻”的，“轻松的” Why is the Middle Age also called the Dark Ages? Because there were many Knights. “向前(钱)看” “气（妻）管炎” “电线杆上绑鸡毛”—好大掸子（胆子） “孔子搬家—净书” 净输 Page * 趁早下斑（班），不要痘（逗）留！ ——某化妆品广告 聪明的妈妈会用锌（心）。 ——某补锌产品广告 Red Bull gives y