it can mean other things, as well

True ~ but what English words can't? with a twisted enough imagination!

fwiw, I've just finished re-reading David Crystal's Language Play (1998, Penguin Book, London, ISBN 0140273859) - I agree with his central thesis that playing with language is not a post-facto use of a tool but is, rather, a central feature of communicative development in most language spheres. I've long felt (for an example to welcome Jackie home!) that Shakespeare's starting point was based on a simple pun ~ from which his lateral mind would develop whole flights of poetry and drama, rather than merely using playful language to embelish his ideas. [/detour]