zeugma
episodeTranscript
jump: chapters · speakers · find in transcriptTranscript
Transcript generated automatically by AI and may contain errors.
What is a zeugma and how is it defined by Merriam‑Webster?
It's Merriam Webster's word of the day for august sixteenth. Today's word is Zugma, spelled Z-E-U-G-M-A. Zugma is a noun. It refers to wordplay in which a single word relates to other words in such a way that it means something different in each case, as in building a boat and a reputation, and open a book along with your mind.
How does the Pittsburgh Post‑Gazette illustrate zeugma in a literary example?
Here's the word used in a sentence from the Pittsburgh Post Gazette. In an evocative use of Zugma, my favorite literary device, Braithwaite writes, The old house and everyone in it was falling apart. Zugma, like the pun, is economical, it contracts two sentences into one. It links unrelated terms, mental with moral, abstract with physical, high with low, and thus generates surprise, wrote Walter Redfern in the book Pons.
Why is zeugma considered an economical device and what is its historical origin?
Zigma, which has been a part of the English language since the fifteenth century, comes from Greek where it literally means joining. But even those who are unfamiliar with the word are likely well acquainted with the clever word play to which it refers. Zugma is a beloved device of lyricists, probably for the economy noted by Redfern. Notable examples come from Alanis Morissette with You Held Your Breath and the Door for Me, Taylor Swift,
Which modern songwriters use zeugma and what are some memorable lyric examples?
with the wine as cold like the shoulder that I gave you, and the beetles Eleanor Rigby died in the church and was buried along with her name. With your word of the day, I'm Peter Sokolowski. Visit MarionWebster dot com today for definitions, wordplay, and trending word lookups.
No segments match your search.
Select any passage to copy it with its citation or turn it into a shareable card.
Chapters
4 chapters
1
What is a zeugma and how is it defined by Merriam‑Webster?
0:06–0:35
2
How does the Pittsburgh Post‑Gazette illustrate zeugma in a literary example?
0:35–1:08
3
Why is zeugma considered an economical device and what is its historical origin?
1:08–1:38
4
Which modern songwriters use zeugma and what are some memorable lyric examples?
1:38–2:00