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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1
stranger
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OP
stranger
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1 |
I've been told that there is a word or phrase that refers to the practice of saying only the first half of a proverb, assuming that the listener knows the rest, e.g. "six of one," "sauce for the goose," "a penny saved," etc. Does anyone know what that word or phrase might be?
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,692
Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,692 |
I think what you're looking for may be a form of brachylogy, although it is neither asyndeton nor zeugma:
Brachylogy: a general term for abbreviated or condensed expression, of which asyndeton and zeugma are types. Ellipse is often used synonymously. The suppressed word or phrase can usually be supplied easily from the surrounding context.
Best I can suggest, I haven't heard of anything pertaining specifically to incomplete proverbs. But the heavyweights haven't clocked in yet...
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858 |
Dear WW: with a bit of a stretch, "aposiopesis" might fit.
aposiopesis
a halting or trailing off of speech caused by the speaker seemingly overcome by an emotion such as excitement, fear, or modesty; a form of brachylogy. "When your father finds out...."
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 95
journeyman
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journeyman
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 95 |
word or phrase that refers to the practice of saying only the first half of a proverb, assuming that the listener knows the rest
That's easy, wordup: half-witticism
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,289
veteran
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veteran
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,289 |
Vbq's note reminds me of one of my father's jokes: If someone told you that you are a wit, he'd be half right.
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