Master of antanaclasis

Posted on May 25, 2014 by Lizzie Ross

H2G2_UK_front_coverHappy Towel Day!

A quick tip of the hat to the incomparable Doug Adams, whose works I’m rereading before I head off on my summer sojourn. Here are 2 examples of one of his favored devices (antanaclasis), both from volume I of H²G²:

“It’s unpleasantly like being drunk.” “What’s so unpleasant about being drunk?” “You ask a glass of water.”

and

“Come now or you will be late.” “Late?” said Arthur. “What for?” “What is your name, human?” “Dent. Arthur Dent,” said Arthur. “Late, as in the late Dentarthurdent.”

About Lizzie Ross

in no particular order: author, teacher, cyclist, world traveler, single parent. oh, and i read. a lot.
This entry was posted in Fantasy, Humorous and tagged , . Bookmark the permalink.

5 Responses to Master of antanaclasis

  1. simon682 says:
    May 25, 2014 at 8:15 am

    Brilliant. Always ready to be hit with a Douglas Adams joke.

    Like

    Reply
  2. Marlyn says:
    May 25, 2014 at 12:25 pm

    I’ve always loved Adams’ use of language. Thanks for teaching me some new literary terms!
    Oh, and Happy Towel Day!

    Like

    Reply

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