Spoonerisms
phrase with sounds swapped between words, often intentionally for humor
A spoonerism is a play on words in which corresponding consonants, vowels, or morphemes are switched, named after the Reverend William Archibald Spooner, Warden of New College, Oxford, who was notoriously prone to this tendency. Many "spoonerisms" attributed to Spooner are believed to have actually been made up by Oxford students.
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Quotes
edit- Let us drink to the queer old Dean.
- As quoted in Robertson, Connie (1998). Book of Humorous Quotations. Wordsworth Editions. p. 186. ISBN 978-1-85326-759-8.
- A play on "dear old Queen".
- As quoted in Robertson, Connie (1998). Book of Humorous Quotations. Wordsworth Editions. p. 186. ISBN 978-1-85326-759-8.
- You have deliberately tasted two worms and you can leave Oxford by the town drain.
- [Alternatively] Sir, you have tasted two whole worms; you have hissed all my mystery lectures and been caught fighting a liar in the quad; you will leave Oxford by the next town drain.
- As quoted in Wallwork, Adrian (26 May 1997). Discussions A-Z Advanced: A Resource Book of Speaking Activities. Cambridge University Press. p. 56. ISBN 978-0-521-55979-9., also as quoted in Robertson, Connie (1998). Book of Humorous Quotations. Wordsworth Editions. p. 186. ISBN 978-1-85326-759-8.
- A play on "wasted two whole terms", "missed all my history lectures", "lighting a fire" and "down train".
- As quoted in Wallwork, Adrian (26 May 1997). Discussions A-Z Advanced: A Resource Book of Speaking Activities. Cambridge University Press. p. 56. ISBN 978-0-521-55979-9., also as quoted in Robertson, Connie (1998). Book of Humorous Quotations. Wordsworth Editions. p. 186. ISBN 978-1-85326-759-8.
- The Lord is a shoving leopard.
- As quoted in "Spoonerism Message Lost in Translation". Toledo Blade. 3 November 1980.
- A play on "loving shepherd".
- As quoted in "Spoonerism Message Lost in Translation". Toledo Blade. 3 November 1980.
- Ladies and Gentlemen, President Hoobert Heever.
- Attributed to radio announcer Harry von Zell, as quoted in "Spoonerism Message Lost in Translation". Toledo Blade. 3 November 1980.
- A play on US President Herbert Hoover
- Attributed to radio announcer Harry von Zell, as quoted in "Spoonerism Message Lost in Translation". Toledo Blade. 3 November 1980.
- Runny be quimble, Runny be nick, Runny cump over the jandlestick.
- Excerpt from the poem, Runny's Jig Bump, from "Runny Babbit" by Shel Silverstein, as quoted in Block, Melissa (August 5, 2005). "Shel Silverstein's 'Runny Babbit' Tales". NPR. Retrieved on 10 January 2019.
- A play on the nursery rhyme Jack Be Nimble
- Excerpt from the poem, Runny's Jig Bump, from "Runny Babbit" by Shel Silverstein, as quoted in Block, Melissa (August 5, 2005). "Shel Silverstein's 'Runny Babbit' Tales". NPR. Retrieved on 10 January 2019.
- Don’t sweat the petty things and don’t pet the sweaty things.
- Attributed to comedian George Carlin, as quoted in Lovinger, Caitlin (April 7, 2018). "Triple Spoonerisms". The New York Times. Retrieved on 10 January 2019.
- Leaves no tone unsterned.
- Attributed to violinist Isaac Stern, as quoted in Freeman, Paul Joel (18 December 2009). Wit in English. Xlibris Corporation. p. 133. ISBN 978-1-4691-0589-5.
- A play on "Leave no stone unturned".
- Attributed to violinist Isaac Stern, as quoted in Freeman, Paul Joel (18 December 2009). Wit in English. Xlibris Corporation. p. 133. ISBN 978-1-4691-0589-5.
- I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy.
- Attributed to writer Dorothy Parker, as quoted in Lederer, Richard (6 February 2014). Get Thee to a Punnery: An Anthology of Intentional Assaults Upon the English Language. Gibbs Smith. ISBN 978-1-4236-1203-2.
- Time wounds all heels.
- Attributed to comedian Groucho Marx, as quoted in Lederer, Richard (6 February 2014). Get Thee to a Punnery: An Anthology of Intentional Assaults Upon the English Language. Gibbs Smith. ISBN 978-1-4236-1203-2.
- A play on "Time heals all wounds".
- Attributed to comedian Groucho Marx, as quoted in Lederer, Richard (6 February 2014). Get Thee to a Punnery: An Anthology of Intentional Assaults Upon the English Language. Gibbs Smith. ISBN 978-1-4236-1203-2.
- Names can be spoonerisms also, like Willie Nelson (Nellie Wilson) and Bobby Hall (hobby ball).
