2010-12-21

paraprosdokian

A paraprosdokian (from Greek "παρα-", meaning "beyond" and "προσδοκία", meaning "expectation") is a figure of speech in which the latter part of a sentence or phrase is surprising or unexpected in a way that causes the reader or listener to reframe or reinterpret the first part. - from Wikipedia

2010-12-20

ultracrepidarian

Ultracrepidarianism is the habit of giving opinions and advice on matters outside of one's knowledge. - from Wikipedia
It's an inkhorn term.
c.f. The cobbler should stick to his last.

2010-12-08

African American saying about brokenness

From the episode titled "A Louse in a Wrestling Jacket", here are ways to say "I don't have money" in African American communities.
  • I'm so broke I couldn't buy a louse (or flea or mosquito) a wrestling jacket.
  • I'm so broke I couldn't buy a crippled crab a crutch if I had a forest of small trees.
  • I'm so broke that the soles of my shoes are so thin that if I step on a dime I could tell whether it's heads or tails.
  • I'm so broke that I cannot afford to pay attention.