Have you ever read or heard descriptive words when used together seem to make no sense or seem to be set in opposition with each other?
Sometimes printed on a shoebox are the words "single pair". At first glance that seems contradictory. How can a pair be single? On second thought it could mean there is one pair of shoes in the box. The words "single pair" is an oxymoron that uses words that have seemingly opposite meanings together.
Oxymorons can be used to point out two qualities that occur at once and call more attention to the point than just the single word. It can be comical or thought provoking because of its effectiveness.
The word oxymoron comes from the Greek which itself is an oxymoron, oxys means keen or sharp and moros is defined as dull or foolish.
Oxymorons have been called a show-off figure of speech that points out life's imperfections. Parents tell their children to keep the noise down "to a dull roar." Freezer owners are told to wrap food so it doesn't get "freezer burn". When no one laughs at his joke, the comedian may say, "that went over like a lead balloon." When the substitute teacher told the returning teacher, "Even in your absence we felt your presence."
Authors make use of oxymorons to make effective, expressive titles for their books, movies and songs. A book entitled "Deafening Silence" or "The Living Dead" may entice a reader to read further. Movie titles such as" Eyes Wide Shut," "A Hard Day's Night" or the song "The Sounds of Silence" can draw attention to a deeper meaning.
There are many examples of signs, which are humorous examples of oxymorons. A sign reads the business is "always open", underneath, the words say "closed." On another sign, below the words "Bottomless Pit" it reads "65 Feet Deep."
Sometimes oxymorons enter the language so that no one gives them another thought. An example: The teacher said her desk was "organized chaos" when asked how she could find anything. The student gave the teacher an "original copy" of his report. When the student said he wanted the one he wrote, the teacher said, "It is the "same difference." Or the teacher said, "I will give you the original when you fulfill your 'mandatory volunteer' work."
The American film producer, Samuel Goldwyn was famous for his humor. He used oxymoronic sentences such as, "A verbal contract isn't worth the paper it is written on" and "I read part of it all the way through."
Be on the lookout for oxymorons that can appear anywhere in our everyday lives.
See if you can create a few sentences that contain oxymorons and illustrate them.
For more information visit http://grammar.about.com, https://www.vappingo.com/word-blog/, and http://examples.yourdictionary.com/ and search for oxymoron.
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