Pun
English Language: AQA GCSE, topic 2.1.6
Puns
A pun is a joke/a play on words which exploits the different possible meanings of a word - it makes fun of the fact that there are other words which sound the same but have different meanings.
Elephant's weight
- An elephant’s opinion carries a lot of weight.
- In this phrase, the pun happens because of the dual meaning of ‘weight’.
- Firstly, it suggests that an elephant’s opinion is heavy, like the elephant.
- Alternatively, it suggests that an elephant’s opinion is very important (carries a lot of weight).
Library story
- The tallest building in town is the library — it has thousands of stories.
- In this phrase, the pun occurs due to the dual meaning of ‘stories’.
- Firstly, it suggests that the library building is tall because it has a lot of floors (storeys). Alternatively, it suggests that the building has a lot of story books because it is a library and houses so many.
Grave man
- Tomorrow, you shall find me a grave man (Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet).
- In this phrase, the pun happens because of the dual meaning of ‘grave’.
- Firstly, it suggests that Mercutio is going to be a very serious (grave) man. Alternatively, it suggests that Mercutio is going end up buried in a grave because he is about to die.
Test yourself on Pun
Which word in this pun has a double meaning?
A boiled egg every morning is hard to beat.What word does this pun play on?
She wanted a camouflage shirt, but couldn't find one.