Humor Writing - Jour 488

Word Definition

The purpose of this assignment was to illustrate a fundamental humor writing technique known as play-on-words (P.O.W.). Students were required to search a dictionary for seven uncommon words and create a logical but whimsical definition for each word. The following are examples of the students' definitions (the real definition is in parentheses.)

MANUBRIUM The part of the brain that lets a think like a man.
(The upper portion of the breastbone or sternum.)

- Danny Bachman (W/02)

SPERMACETI Little sperm-shaped noodles.
(A white, waxy substance consisting of various esters of fatty acids, obtained from the head of the sperm whale and used for making candles, ointments, and cosmetics.)

- Ryan Ketner (W/02)

IDIOPATHY Pathologic study of how accidents weed out stupid people.
(A disease of unknown origin or cause.)

- Matt Coleman (W/02)

SITOLOGY The study of seats.
(The science of foods, nutrition, and diet.)

- Dominic Brume (W/02)

NERTS Nerds in an Italian neighborhood.
(Nonsense, nuts.)

- Joey Dunn (W/02)

HOROLOGY The study of bitches, tramps, and sluts.
(The science of measuring time.)

- Joey Dunn (W/02)

VIZIER Headgear worn by French golfers to keep the sun out of their eyes.
(A high Moslem governmental officer.)

- Diana Fleegle (W/02)

YAMEN What Jamaicans say when they agree to something.
(office or residence of a Chinese imperial official.)

- Maura Kerns (W/02)

KARYOGAMY Having more than one car.
(The fusing of gamete nuclei.)

- Pat Anderson (W/02)