A humorous play on words Crossword Clue

Hello all crossword hunters!
Please find today's clue from the given publisher "Irish Times Simplex".
Let us gather the related details that will help us find the correct answer to "A humorous play on words" clue .

Understanding Today's Crossword Puzzle

The clue for today's crossword puzzle is "A humorous play on words," and the answer is "PUN."

A pun is a form of wordplay that exploits multiple meanings of a word or phrase, or similar-sounding words, to create a humorous effect. Puns often rely on homophones (words that sound alike but have different meanings) or words with double meanings. The purpose of a pun is to elicit amusement through clever wordplay and unexpected connections.

Here are a few examples to illustrate why "PUN" fits the clue:

1. Double meaning: "Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana." In this pun, the word "flies" has two meanings: insects and the action of moving swiftly. By using a different meaning for each occurrence, the sentence becomes humorous.
2. Homophones: "I used to be a baker, but I couldn't make enough dough." In this pun, "dough" refers to both money and the mixture used to make bread. The play on words between "dough" and "dough" provides the humor.
3. Word association: "I'm reading a book about anti-gravity. It's impossible to put down!" In this pun, the phrase "put down" typically means to criticize or belittle something. However, in this context, it takes a literal meaning as the book being discussed is about anti-gravity, making it impossible to physically put down. The unexpected connection between the literal and figurative meanings creates the humor.

Puns are widely used in literature, jokes, advertising, and everyday conversations. They add a touch of wit, cleverness, and playfulness, making language more enjoyable.

So, in conclusion, the given clue "A humorous play on words" is best represented by the answer "PUN" as it perfectly captures the essence of wordplay that creates humor through multiple meanings, homophones, and unexpected connections.

Definition of "PUN"

a joke exploiting the different possible meanings of a word or the fact that there are words which sound alike but have different meanings

Example :

the Railway Society reception was an informal party of people of all stations (excuse the pun) in life

Freeth adopted the nickname Free in punning allusion to his beliefs

the designer is punning on the street name

 The Crossword clue "A humorous play on words" published 1 time/s & has 1 answer/s. 

Crossword	Date	Answer
Irish Times Simplex	29 March 2006	PUN