好词典

pun

UK /pʌn/US /pʌn/

词源

可能源自意大利语 'puntiglio'(细微差别)或英语 'pound'(反复敲打),17世纪开始表示文字游戏。

noun

❶ 双关语,指利用词语的多义或谐音特点,在同一个表达中同时传达两种不同意思的文字游戏。

“The bakery's slogan 'A loaf of bread is better than none' is a clever pun.”

(面包店标语'有面包总比没有好'是个巧妙双关。)

“He made a pun about clocks: 'Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana.'”

(他关于时钟的双关语:'光阴似箭;果蝇爱香蕉。')

同义词:wordplay, double entendre, quip

verb

❶ 说双关语,通过词语的多义性制造幽默效果的行为。

“She loves to pun by saying 'I'm reading a book about anti-gravity—it's impossible to put down!'”

(她喜欢用双关语说:'我在读一本反重力的书——根本放不下来!')

“The comedian kept punning about fish ('I'm hooked on you!').”

(喜剧演员不停用鱼说双关语('我被你钩住了!')。)

同义词:joke, quip, play on words

常见短语

no pun intended — 用于表示刚才说的话可能无意中形成了双关,强调并非故意为之。

“The meeting was very long—no pun intended—about two hours.”

(会议非常漫长——无意双关——大约两小时。)

pun-filled — 形容充满双关语的对话或文本,通常带有幽默性质。

“The comedy show was pun-filled, leaving the audience groaning and laughing.”

(喜剧表演充满双关语,让观众又嘘又笑。)