(say paruhproz’dokeeuhn)
noun 1. a figure of speech in which the latter part of an idiom, proverb, or well-known expression or formula of words is altered to make an unexpected and humorous ending, as in If I understand you correctly – it will be the first time ever.
–adjective 2. of or relating to such an expression.
[20th-century coinage, from Greek para prosdokían against expectation, the words being run together in English to form a noun; the phrase in Greek indicated a similarly humorous construction]
[Editor’s note: Look for funny paraprosdokians in this week’s Friday funnies]
