Interaction skills with good language usage is one of the vital elements of persuasion. And rhetorical devices play significant role to add color, style and succinctness to the language content. Zeugma is yet another figure of speech that can be used to convey your message succinctly yet completely
Zeugma Definition
Funny Zeugma Figure of Speech Examples
Simply put, in a zeugma sentence, you will find one word--in most cases verbs--that govern or control two or more parts of the sentence.Zeugma Sentence Examples
Here are few humorous and funny jokes and anecdotes that use zeugma figure of speech:1. New Year resolution for computer engineers: I will stop sending email, ICQ, Instant messages and be on phone at the same time with same person.
Explanation: In the above example, the word "Stop", applies to ICQ, and Instant messages.
2. Do you take me to be your lawfully loveable friend, to have and to hold, for rich quotes or corny jokes, in text messaging and in poor signal, till low battery do us part?
Explanation: in the above example, the sentence, "Do you take me to be your lawfully loveable friend," applies to other four parts of the sentences; 1) to have and to hold 2) for rich quotes or corny jokes, 3) in text messaging and in poor signal and 4) till low battery do us part.
Without using zeugma the sentence becomes repetitive and redundant. If you want to write the above joke without zeugma it would be
Do you take me to be your lawfully loveable friend to have and to hold, Do you take me to be your lawfully loveable friend for rich quotes or corny jokes, Do you take me to be your lawfully loveable friend in text messaging and in poor signal, Do you take me to be your lawfully loveable friend till low battery do us part.
Which of the above two sentences look simple, elegant and succinct? of course, that sentence with zeugma.
3. Every man wants a wife who is beautiful, understanding, economical and a good cook. but the law allows only one wife.
Explanation: the phrase, "who is" applies to: beautiful, understanding, economical and a good cook.
4. I love your smile, your face, and your eyes-damn, I am good at telling lies!
Explanation: the phrase, "I love your" applies to: your smile, your face and your eyes.
Besides good vocal communication, scintillating persuasion skills also requires interesting verbal communication skills that also includes language usage. And use of rhetoric devices-or figure of speech--is yet another essentials during persuasive interactions. Zeugma, like other figure of speeches such as onomatopoeia and procatalepsis to name a few--can add color and style to the language.
