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[4] An example of hyperbole is: "The bag weighed a ton." [5] Hyperbole makes the point that the bag was very heavy, though it probably does not weigh a ton. [6] Exaggerating is also a type of deception, [7] as well as a means of malingering – magnifying small injuries or discomforts as an excuse to avoid responsibilities. [8]
See List of English words with disputed usage for words that are used in ways that are deprecated by some usage writers but are condoned by some dictionaries. There may be regional variations in grammar , orthography , and word-use , especially between different English-speaking countries.
Modern tall tales also make use of hyperbole to exaggerate the feats and characteristics of their protagonists. For example, the American tall tale about Paul Bunyan relies heavily on hyperbole to establish Bunyan's giant stature and abilities. [11] For hyperbole to be effective it needs to be obvious, deliberate, and outlandish.
Adianoeta – a phrase carrying two meanings: an obvious meaning and a second, more subtle and ingenious one (more commonly known as double entendre). Alliteration – the use of a series of two or more words beginning with the same letter. Amphiboly – a sentence that may be interpreted in more than one way due to ambiguous structure.
Pages in category "English profanity" The following 65 pages are in this category, out of 65 total. This list may not reflect recent changes. ...
List of ethnic slurs. List of ethnic slurs and epithets by ethnicity; List of common nouns derived from ethnic group names; List of religious slurs; A list of LGBT slang, including LGBT-related slurs; List of age-related terms with negative connotations; List of disability-related terms with negative connotations; Category:Sex- and gender ...
A aggravate – Some have argued that this word should not be used in the sense of "to annoy" or "to oppress", but only to mean "to make worse". According to AHDI, the use of "aggravate" as "annoy" occurs in English as far back as the 17th century. In Latin, from which the word was borrowed, both meanings were used. Sixty-eight percent of AHD4's usage panel approves of its use in "It's the ...
Definitional retreat – changing the meaning of a word when an objection is raised. [23] Often paired with moving the goalposts (see below), as when an argument is challenged using a common definition of a term in the argument, and the arguer presents a different definition of the term and thereby demands different evidence to debunk the argument.