Are oxymorons sarcastic?

Are oxymorons sarcastic?

An oxymoron is a figure of speech, usually one or two words, in which seemingly contradictory terms appear side by side. In speech, oxymorons can lend a sense of humor, irony, or sarcasm.

What are some good oxymorons?

Oxymoron examples in everyday expressions

• Awfully good.
• Bittersweet.
• Civil war.
• Definite possibility.
• Exact estimate.
• Extinct life.
• Grow smaller.
• Only choice.

Can a person be an oxymoron?

You don’t call someone an oxymoron; it’s not a personal characteristic; it’s a figure of speech (or writing). You might say “deafening silence” or “oddly normal” or “jumbo shrimp” are oxymorons, because they appear to be contradictory but in fact they make an intriguing kind of sense.

Is civil war an oxymoron?

“Comical oxymoron” is a term for the claim, for comical effect, that a certain phrase or expression is an oxymoron (called “opinion oxymorons” by Lederer (1990)). Similarly, the term “civil war” is sometimes jokingly referred to as an “oxymoron” (punning on the lexical meanings of the word “civil”).

Can you give me an example of an oxymoron?

The most common type of oxymoron is an adjective followed by a noun. One oxymoron example is “deafening silence,” which describes a silence that is so overpowering it almost feels deafening, or extremely loud—just as an actual sound would.

Is Hells Angels an oxymoron?

Oxymorons can be used for dramatic effect, for example: Hell’s Angels and deafening silence. These are only oxymorons in a punning sense. The word oxymoron (plural: oxymora or oxymorons) is derived from the Greek for pointedly foolish (oxys = SHARP, KEEN + moros = FOOLISH).

Is Big Shrimp an oxymoron?

It’s more than just a tasty crustacean! It’s also a slangy way of calling someone small or short. So “jumbo shrimp” is an oxymoron. The term “oxymoron” comes from Greek, where “oxy” means “sharp or acute,” and “moros” means “dumb or foolish.” So oxymoron is itself a bit of, well, an oxymoron.

What do you call two words that contradict each other?

An oxymoron (usual plural oxymorons, more rarely oxymora) is a figure of speech that juxtaposes concepts with opposing meanings within a word or phrase that creates an ostensible self-contradiction. An oxymoron can be used as a rhetorical device to illustrate a rhetorical point or to reveal a paradox.

What does it mean to call someone a oxymoron?

: a combination of contradictory or incongruous words (such as cruel kindness) broadly : something (such as a concept) that is made up of contradictory or incongruous elements.

What are some funny oxymorons?

Here are a few of his funny oxymorons: A verbal contract isn’t worth the paper it’s written on. Include me out. A hospital is no place to be sick. Anyone who goes to a psychiatrist ought to have his head examined. Don’t worry about the war.

Why are oxymorons important in writing?

Oxymorons are extremely useful in written English because they can make effective titles, add dramatic effect, add flavor to speech, and can sometimes be used to achieve a comedic effect. Here is a comprehensive list of 64 examples of oxymorons in sentences. In each example, the oxymoron is underlined.

What are some of Yogi Berra’s famous oxymorons?

– Yogi Berra Samuel Goldwyn, a very influential movie producer during the 1920’s through the 1950’s, was famous for his humor. Here are a few of his funny oxymorons: A verbal contract isn’t worth the paper it’s written on. Include me out. A hospital is no place to be sick. Anyone who goes to a psychiatrist ought to have his head examined.

What is a good oxymoron from Samuel Goldwyn?

Funny Oxymoron Quotes from Samuel Goldwyn. Samuel Goldwyn, a very influential movie producer during the 1920’s through the 1950’s, was famous for his humor. Here are a few of his funny oxymorons: A verbal contract isn’t worth the paper it’s written on. Include me out. A hospital is no place to be sick.