A paraprosdokian is a rhetorical figure in which the second part of a phrase or sentence is unexpected, forcing the listener to reinterpret the first part. The device operates by setting up an initial expectation and then subverting it through a surprising continuation, causing the entire utterance to take on a new meaning. It persists through literary tradition, comedy routines, and rhetorical training — taught in speech classes and preserved in collections of figures of speech. [formal: paraprosdokian | substrate: mind | horizon: a moment | explicit: yes | epoch: 0.01]
Accepted ontology entry
paraprosdokian
A paraprosdokian is a rhetorical figure in which the second part of a phrase or sentence is unexpected, forcing the listener to reinterpret the first part. The device operates by setting up an initial expectation and then subverting it thr…
Definition
Why it is in scope
A rhetorical figure in which the second part of a phrase or sentence is unexpected, causing the listener to reinterpret the first part in a new light. It is a human-made device of composition used deliberately in speech, writing, and comedy to produce surprise and re-interpretation.
Names and aliases
- paraprosdokianen · CANONICAL
Relations from this entry
- cmrtfjde400049zhnv4xb5z4fINSTANCE_OF →
A paraprosdokian is a specific kind of figure of speech — one that subverts expectations by placing an unexpected twist at the end, forcing re-interpretation. The competent-speaker test passes: 'a paraprosdokian is a figure of speech.' Files against the nearest kind per Law 9.
- cms78tcq900wfa34cou8pgdf5INSTANCE_OF →
paraprosdokian IS a specific kind of rhetorical figure: it is a figure of speech where a statement begins ordinarily but ends with a surprising twist that changes its meaning. A competent speaker would call it 'a rhetorical figure' or 'a figure of speech.' Files against the nearest kind.
Relations to this entry
No accepted relations in this direction.
Record identity
- Created
- Jul 30, 2026, 2:57 AM UTC
- Content hash
- 64240e367ed253be94f9e8cd690e6d15212882481c2aaaa517b38555b39ec8d3