Is there a term for reversing phrases, usually for comedic effect?
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For example, I say to a roommate, "I wish I could get caught up on my homework so I can start dating again," to which he replies, "I wish I could get caught up on my dating so I can start doing homework again."
We thought it might be hysteron proteron, but weren't quite satisfied with its definition.
humor rhetorical-devices
asked Oct 4 '17 at 1:52
Silverwing171
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For example, I say to a roommate, "I wish I could get caught up on my homework so I can start dating again," to which he replies, "I wish I could get caught up on my dating so I can start doing homework again."
We thought it might be hysteron proteron, but weren't quite satisfied with its definition.
humor rhetorical-devices
asked Oct 4 '17 at 1:52
Silverwing171
111
If it does lack a technical term, why not try protero-hysteron?
– Robbie Goodwin
Oct 5 '17 at 21:13
add a comment |
up vote
2
down vote
favorite
up vote
2
down vote
favorite
For example, I say to a roommate, "I wish I could get caught up on my homework so I can start dating again," to which he replies, "I wish I could get caught up on my dating so I can start doing homework again."
We thought it might be hysteron proteron, but weren't quite satisfied with its definition.
humor rhetorical-devices
asked Oct 4 '17 at 1:52
Silverwing171
111
For example, I say to a roommate, "I wish I could get caught up on my homework so I can start dating again," to which he replies, "I wish I could get caught up on my dating so I can start doing homework again."
We thought it might be hysteron proteron, but weren't quite satisfied with its definition.
humor rhetorical-devices
humor rhetorical-devices
asked Oct 4 '17 at 1:52
Silverwing171
111
asked Oct 4 '17 at 1:52
Silverwing171
111
asked Oct 4 '17 at 1:52
Silverwing171
111
asked Oct 4 '17 at 1:52
Silverwing171
111
asked Oct 4 '17 at 1:52
Silverwing171
111
111
If it does lack a technical term, why not try protero-hysteron?
– Robbie Goodwin
Oct 5 '17 at 21:13
add a comment |
If it does lack a technical term, why not try protero-hysteron?
– Robbie Goodwin
Oct 5 '17 at 21:13
If it does lack a technical term, why not try protero-hysteron?
– Robbie Goodwin
Oct 5 '17 at 21:13
If it does lack a technical term, why not try protero-hysteron?
– Robbie Goodwin
Oct 5 '17 at 21:13
add a comment |
2 Answers
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As a term for a type of humor I can't think of it but is could simply be called a "Reversal". Such reversal of ideas or phrases often invite humor or nearly so. Knowing that the grass is always greener on the other side my neighbor spends the afternoons in my yard. Some people make pot roast, I make roast pot. The laughs keep on coming but only just.
If it must be a clever term then perhaps "Switcheroo". Disputes over its true meaning lends itself to innumerable bits of its own.
answered Oct 4 '17 at 3:28
user2863749
30515
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A similar humorous idea referring to the reversal of lirst fetters is called a "spoonerism". Perhaps this term could be expanded to your desired application?
answered Oct 4 '17 at 3:56
Austin Weaver
1617
Yeah, that's kind of what we were thinking. I suppose we could extend the definition. Maybe we can call it a "phrasal spoonerism"?
– Silverwing171
Oct 5 '17 at 5:34
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
0
down vote
As a term for a type of humor I can't think of it but is could simply be called a "Reversal". Such reversal of ideas or phrases often invite humor or nearly so. Knowing that the grass is always greener on the other side my neighbor spends the afternoons in my yard. Some people make pot roast, I make roast pot. The laughs keep on coming but only just.
If it must be a clever term then perhaps "Switcheroo". Disputes over its true meaning lends itself to innumerable bits of its own.
answered Oct 4 '17 at 3:28
user2863749
30515
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
As a term for a type of humor I can't think of it but is could simply be called a "Reversal". Such reversal of ideas or phrases often invite humor or nearly so. Knowing that the grass is always greener on the other side my neighbor spends the afternoons in my yard. Some people make pot roast, I make roast pot. The laughs keep on coming but only just.
If it must be a clever term then perhaps "Switcheroo". Disputes over its true meaning lends itself to innumerable bits of its own.
answered Oct 4 '17 at 3:28
user2863749
30515
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
up vote
0
down vote
As a term for a type of humor I can't think of it but is could simply be called a "Reversal". Such reversal of ideas or phrases often invite humor or nearly so. Knowing that the grass is always greener on the other side my neighbor spends the afternoons in my yard. Some people make pot roast, I make roast pot. The laughs keep on coming but only just.
If it must be a clever term then perhaps "Switcheroo". Disputes over its true meaning lends itself to innumerable bits of its own.
answered Oct 4 '17 at 3:28
user2863749
30515
As a term for a type of humor I can't think of it but is could simply be called a "Reversal". Such reversal of ideas or phrases often invite humor or nearly so. Knowing that the grass is always greener on the other side my neighbor spends the afternoons in my yard. Some people make pot roast, I make roast pot. The laughs keep on coming but only just.
If it must be a clever term then perhaps "Switcheroo". Disputes over its true meaning lends itself to innumerable bits of its own.
answered Oct 4 '17 at 3:28
user2863749
30515
answered Oct 4 '17 at 3:28
user2863749
30515
answered Oct 4 '17 at 3:28
user2863749
30515
answered Oct 4 '17 at 3:28
user2863749
30515
30515
add a comment |
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
A similar humorous idea referring to the reversal of lirst fetters is called a "spoonerism". Perhaps this term could be expanded to your desired application?
answered Oct 4 '17 at 3:56
Austin Weaver
1617
Yeah, that's kind of what we were thinking. I suppose we could extend the definition. Maybe we can call it a "phrasal spoonerism"?
– Silverwing171
Oct 5 '17 at 5:34
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
A similar humorous idea referring to the reversal of lirst fetters is called a "spoonerism". Perhaps this term could be expanded to your desired application?
answered Oct 4 '17 at 3:56
Austin Weaver
1617
Yeah, that's kind of what we were thinking. I suppose we could extend the definition. Maybe we can call it a "phrasal spoonerism"?
– Silverwing171
Oct 5 '17 at 5:34
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
up vote
0
down vote
A similar humorous idea referring to the reversal of lirst fetters is called a "spoonerism". Perhaps this term could be expanded to your desired application?
answered Oct 4 '17 at 3:56
Austin Weaver
1617
A similar humorous idea referring to the reversal of lirst fetters is called a "spoonerism". Perhaps this term could be expanded to your desired application?
answered Oct 4 '17 at 3:56
Austin Weaver
1617
answered Oct 4 '17 at 3:56
Austin Weaver
1617
answered Oct 4 '17 at 3:56
Austin Weaver
1617
answered Oct 4 '17 at 3:56
Austin Weaver
1617
1617
Yeah, that's kind of what we were thinking. I suppose we could extend the definition. Maybe we can call it a "phrasal spoonerism"?
– Silverwing171
Oct 5 '17 at 5:34
add a comment |
Yeah, that's kind of what we were thinking. I suppose we could extend the definition. Maybe we can call it a "phrasal spoonerism"?
– Silverwing171
Oct 5 '17 at 5:34
Yeah, that's kind of what we were thinking. I suppose we could extend the definition. Maybe we can call it a "phrasal spoonerism"?
– Silverwing171
Oct 5 '17 at 5:34
Yeah, that's kind of what we were thinking. I suppose we could extend the definition. Maybe we can call it a "phrasal spoonerism"?
– Silverwing171
Oct 5 '17 at 5:34
add a comment |
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If it does lack a technical term, why not try protero-hysteron?
– Robbie Goodwin
Oct 5 '17 at 21:13