Merriam-Webster online dictionary defines pun as:
– The usually humorous use of a word in such a way as to suggest two or more of its meanings or the meaning of another word similar in sound.
- Suppose you’re sitting in a dentist’s office, waiting for a root canal. You are flipping through one of those glossy magazines listlessly, trying to not pay attention to the strident whirring of the drill in the cubicle next to yours.
Your eyes light up on a commercial that has a clever play with words. Don’t you laugh for a few seconds, forgetting where you are?
- You are stuck in a traffic jam. (You know, the kind that makes you want to begin composing your own obituary?) Suddenly, your car radio plays a really funny commercial, or you slowly inch by a billboard with a witty saying on it.
Doesn’t that relieve some of your stress and make your hunched-up shoulders slope down just a little?
Words when strung together right can really make magic.
Whenever I drive by a board carrying a humorous message, I immediately feel a kinship with the person who came up with that line. The line says to me: here’s someone who takes their words seriously!
I have come across some of the best lines so far on the faces of rickety old-style manual black-giant-letters-over-white-board kind of billboards standing next to nondescript local businesses like mom-and-pop stores and animal clinics.
Hmm… may be there is some correlation between running your own business and a quirky sense of humor?
I have come across these lines in the last few weeks.
- On the side of a garbage collecting company’s truck:
We dig trash.
- Manwich (which now has one serving of veggies in it, ostensibly) commercial:
Meat your vegetables.
- On the electronic billboard of a Cleaners’:
Questions? Call us. We talk dirty.
- On the billboard of a local animal clinic:
Dog refusing his meals? Bring him in. We’ll help you vet his appetite.
- Commercial for Michelin Tire:
When it pours it reigns.
- Doormat in front of a house with one too many dogs for pets:
Beware! Dog cannot hold its licker!
- On the pamphlet for a local nursery:
We are so excited about spring that we wet our plants!
- On the billboard of an Auto Repair Shop:
Alignment problems? Let us set you straight.
Aren’t they punny? :)
They sure helped add some color and break up the monotony of my days when I came across them.
Have any favorite funny lines of your own? Please, share them with us!
P.S: Wondering why the color post today? It is depressingly wet and overcast outside right now. I have no control over the weather, so I thought why not bring some color to at least one of those areas that I do control? :)
I loved your blog today Hema…
After reading your blog today, Especially with the dull and lifeless weather outside It made me start my day with energy(FULL OF COLOR)….:)
And yes, all the lines you did quote are PUNNY.
Good one Hema. On similar lines.. I always laugh when I read some of the warning labels on some household stuff..
Sleeping pills : May cause drowsiness (Da!!)
Almond choclate bar : May contain traces of nuts.
Tide Dish washing detergent : Do not use this package for dispensing other beverages.
And of course the classic warning sign on McDonald’s Coffee : Caution, very hot!!
Can’t think of any more..but I find atleast a few a day.
Your post made me laugh out loud — on a Monday morning. That is quite the achievement.
Here a few puns back as a thank you :
A pessimist’s blood type is always b-negative.
Marriage is the mourning after the knot before.
Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.
When two egotists meet, it’s an I for an I.
A chicken crossing the road is poultry in motion.
Acupuncture is a jab well done.
Have a great week, Roland
Thanks, Siri! I am so glad my post managed to infuse some energy into your day! :)
Thanks, PB! The lengths companies go to these days in order to save their hides! The warning on the pack of sleeping pills takes the cake — I laughed out loud when I read that one. Thanks for adding some more color to my post :)
Roland, so happy that you found the twist in the captions amusing! Love the jabs about accupunture and egotists. Thanks for sharing!
These really made me laugh. I haven’t noticed anything funny like that in the last couple of days but now I’m going to be on the look out for them. I need a laugh.
Jai
I’m sorry I don’t have any lines to share, but I did enjoy yours. I think the “we wet our plants” was my favorite, but I’m thinking about getting the sign about the dog that can’t hold its licker for my own front door. Thanks for the chuckles!
Great post! It definately brightened my morning. :)
Jai, glad to be of service – don’t forget to share any new ones that you find with us.
My pleasure, Susan. I think my favorite is the last one — such subtle double entendre… ;-)
Thanks, Sharon! I’m happy that this post helped lighten up the day for many of my friends :).
Great post Hema! “Words when strung together right can really make magic.” I couldn’t agree more… Words can make people forget where they are, they can make us forget about time or whatever trouble we’re dealing with… At least that is the impact a good book has on me :)
“We dig trash.” Great one! :)
Thanks, Lua! Books have always been my panacea, too!
Fun post, Hema.
and here’s one I read somewhere-
Good judgment comes from experience, and experience … well, that comes from poor judgment.
Thanks, Suma! That’s a good one. Kind of reminds me of: “You need a job to gain experience and to land a job, you need experience.” :)