Tag Archives: The Daily Trope

Aporia

Posted on August 23, 2007 | Leave a comment

Aporia (a-po’-ri-a): Deliberating with oneself as though in doubt over some matter; asking oneself (or rhetorically asking one’s hearers) what is the best or appropriate way to approach something [=diaporesis].

What should I do with my lottery winnings? Buy real estate? Invest in a mutual fund? The money market? Bonds? Gold? Buy more lottery tickets? Ah! Here’s a plan: buy my mother the poodle she’s always wanted, hire a financial advisor, and then go to a Red Sox game! No. Not good. Let’s see, maybe I should . . . ?

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Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu). Bracketed text added by Gorgias.

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Bomphiologia

Posted on August 22, 2007 | Leave a comment

Bomphiologia (bom-phi-o-lo’-gi-a): Exaggeration done in a self-aggrandizing manner, as a braggart.

I am so cool that I can make it snow in Florida on the Fourth of July! Goodbye global warming–Mr. Ice is on the planet!

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Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)

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Cataplexis

Posted on August 21, 2007 | Leave a comment

Cataplexis (kat-a-pleex’-is): Threatening or prophesying payback for ill doing.

You think you will be vindicated by history, but your pettiness, stubbornness, and complete lack of foresight will make your name synonymous with incompetence until the end of time!

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Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)

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Paronomasia

Posted on August 20, 2007 | Leave a comment

Paronomasia (pa-ro-no-ma’-si-a): Using words that sound alike but that differ in meaning (punning).

Fashion maven to police officer: “That Taser you’re wearing is a stunning piece of equipment.”

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Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)

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Tagged elocutio, figures of speech, Gorgias's Weblog, paronomasia, rhetoric, style, The Daily Trope

Adynaton

Posted on August 19, 2007 | Leave a comment

Adynaton (a-dyn’-a-ton): A declaration of impossibility, usually in terms of an exaggerated comparison. Sometimes, the expression of the impossibility of expression.

You have as much of a chance of changing his mind about buying a motorcycle as a cinder block has of doing your income taxes!

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Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)

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Tagged adynaton, elocutio, figures of speech, Gorgias's Weblog, motorcyle, rhetoric, style, tax, The Daily Trope

Epimone

Posted on August 9, 2007 | Leave a comment

Epimone (e-pi’-mo-nee): Persistent repitition of the same plea in much the same words.

You promised to pay me back two days ago. Give me the money now. I trusted you. Pay me back now. I want my money! Pay me!

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Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)

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Climax

Posted on August 8, 2007 | Leave a comment

Climax (cli’-max): Generally, the arrangement of words, phrases, or clauses in an order of increasing importance, often in parallel structure.

Every person, every city, every state, and every nation is a facet of the same shining gem–circling the sun in numbered orbits–circling toward the end.