Paraprosdokian, just as difficult that word is to pronounce, it as much fun. Sample this one by Groucho Marx: "Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana." Comedians have used it for a humorous and dramatic effect for many years. One such comedian was Groucho Marx of the 1920s. Before we look at some of his hilarious one-liners, let us look up the dictionary meaning of paraprosdokian.
Paraprosdokian is a figure of speech in which the latter part of a sentence or phrase is surprising or unexpected in a way that causes the reader or listener to reframe the first part.
Groucho Marx's Paraprosdokians
Outside of a dog, a book is a man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read.I have had a perfectly wonderful evening, but this wasn't it.I must say I find television very educational. The minute somebody turns it on, I go to the library and read a good book.Although it is generally known, I think it's about time to announce that I was born at a very early age.
