Antiprosopopoeia (an-ti-pro-so-po-pe’-i-a): The representation of persons [or other animate beings] as inanimate objects. This inversion of prosopopoeia or personification can simply be the use of a metaphor to depict or describe a person [or other animate being].
A: Hey Weedwhacker! How’s the landscaping business going?
B: Come on, my name is Edward–I’m not a piece of lawn maintenance equipment!
A: Ha! Ha! Weedwhacker has a first name! Hey Edward Weedwhacker, how’s the landscaping business going?
B: I got your weedwhacker–and you’re a big fat weed. Get over there against the fence! Right now! Pull up your pants legs or I’ll shove this weedwhacker into your face.
A: Ok. Ok.
Ow! Ow! Hell! What’re you doing? Ow! No! No! My ankles are bleeding! Stop it! Pleeeeease!
B: What’s my name?
A: Edward. Edward. Edward. Your name is Edward. Edward!
B: Very good Weeny Weed-head. I’ve got to get back to work now. Please don’t ever bother me again when I’m on the job. You’re lucky I didn’t mow you.
A: OK Edward, I get the message, but I’m going to have you arrested.
What’s that?
B: Hedge clippers. But, in your case, we’ll call them head clippers.
A: I promise, I won’t have you arrested! I swear. Get away from me!
No . . . !
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Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu). Bracketed text added by Gorgias.
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