A pun is a joke exploiting the different meanings of a word or the fact that there are words of the same sound and different meanings. Here are some examples:
- I wondered why the basketball was getting bigger. Then it hit me.
- I’m reading a book about anti-gravity. It’s impossible to put down.
- Did you hear about the guy whose whole left side was cut off? He’s all right now.
- I couldn’t quite remember how to throw a boomerang, but eventually it came back to me.
- I was going to look for my missing watch but I could never find the time.
- There was once a cross-eyed teacher who couldn’t control his pupils.
- The man who survived mustard gas and pepper spray is now a seasoned veteran.
- I’ve been to the dentist several times so I know the drill.
Shakespeare was famous for his use of puns. Here are some examples:
‘Richard III’ Act 1 Scene 1
‘Now is the winter of our discontent
Made glorious summer by this sun of York . . .’
Context: These are the opening lines of ‘Richard III’. King Richard III was the son of the Duke of York.
‘Romeo and Juliet’ Act 1 Scene 4
‘Give me a torch: I am not for this ambling.
Being but heavy, I will bear the light.’
Context: Romeo is reluctant to attend a party because he is suffering from a broken heart.
‘Romeo and Juliet’ Act 1 Scene 4
Mercutio: ‘Nay, gentle Romeo, we must have you dance.’
Romeo: ‘Not I, believe me. You have dancing shoes
With nimble soles; I have a soul of lead
So stakes me to the ground I cannot move.’
Context: Romeo is reluctant to attend a party because he is suffering from a broken heart.
‘Hamlet’ Act 1 Scene 2
Claudius: ‘But now, my cousin Hamlet, and my son’
Hamlet: [aside] ‘A little more than kin, and less than kind.’
Context: Hamlet is upset that his uncle Claudius has married his mother. Think of ‘kind’ as also short for ‘kindred’.
‘Much Ado About Nothing’ Act 2 Scene 1
Beatrice: ‘The count is neither sad, nor sick, nor merry, nor well: but civil, count; civil as an orange, and something of that jealous complexion.’
Context: Beatrice is referring to the character Claudio. There is a type of bitter orange that comes from Seville, Spain.
For students of ‘Hamlet’, follow this link for more puns from the play with their explanations:
http://shakespeare-navigators.com/hamlet/Pap.html
Time for a challenge
Are there any more puns you know of? I would be particularly interested in seeing if any of you can remember puns that we noted while studying our poetry!
I love them Mrs Meighan; they’re really so punny.
Here’s a few more:
Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana.
When she got married, she got a new name and a dress.
I don’t eat steak very often, but when I do it’s rare.
I got the results of my marine biology test today. They are below “c” level!
Fantastic wordplay and great puns!
More importantly, love Hamlet!
Show me a piano falling down a mineshaft, then I’ll show you A-flat minor.
Sorry but I found these and being a sciencey person, had to share them:
I bought twelve cookies, but I ate hafnium. Then I ate the other six; now they argon.
It’s not mature to throw a temper tantalum.
I’ll never bicycle one hundred miles again, considering how thorium.
The police caught the robbers after their radon the bank.
Well done to everyone commenting here! I really like all the puns that have been added.
Here are a few more:
Without geometry life is pointless.
Speaking ill of the dead is a grave mistake.
I used to be a doctor, but then I lost patients.
Geology rocks!
It must be hard to keep inventory in Afghanistan because of the Tally Ban.