Puns and Wordplay

Which of the following sentences contains a pun?

• The comedian's jokes were hilarious.

• I'm reading a book about anti-gravity; it's impossible to put down.

• The long race felt like it would never end.

• My brother runs as fast as a cheetah.

Answer explanation

This is a pun because 'put down' has a double meaning: literally setting the book down and figuratively stopping reading it. The other options are a simple statement, a simile, and a statement of opinion.

Tags

CCSS.L.8.5A

Match each pun to the two meanings being played on.

• "seafood" (food from the sea) and "see food" (to look at food)

• I'm on a seafood diet. I see food, and I eat it.

• "two-tired" (having two tires) and "too tired" (very fatigued)

• A bicycle can't stand on its own because it's two-tired.

• "comma sense" (sense about commas) and "common sense" (practical judgment)

• The grammarian had a lot of comma sense.

Answer explanation

Each pun works by using a word or phrase that sounds like another (homophone) or has multiple meanings, creating a humorous double meaning.

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CCSS.L.8.5A

In the joke, "Why don't scientists trust atoms? Because they make up everything!" what makes the punchline a pun?

• It's a well-known scientific fact.

• It uses a word, 'atoms,' that is hard to understand.

• The phrase 'make up' means both 'compose' and 'invent lies.'

• Scientists are generally not very trusting people.

Answer explanation

The humor comes from the double meaning of 'make up.' Atoms literally compose everything, but 'make up' can also mean to fabricate or lie, suggesting atoms are untrustworthy.

Sort these words based on whether they have multiple distinct meanings. Words with multiple meanings are often used in puns.

Groups:

(a) Words with Multiple Meanings

,

(b) Words with One Primary Meaning

• run

• sole

• bat

• book

• table

• chair

Answer explanation

Words like 'sole' (part of a shoe / a type of fish), 'book' (to read / to reserve), 'bat' (a piece of sports equipment / a flying mammal), and 'run' (to jog / a tear in fabric) have multiple meanings, making them useful for puns. 'Chair' and 'table' each have one primary, common meaning.

Tags

CCSS.L.8.5A

Which word or phrase best completes the pun in this sentence? "I'm reading a book about anti-gravity. It's impossible to ____."

• put down

• understand

• finish quickly

• agree with

Answer explanation

The phrase 'put down' creates a pun. It literally means to place the book on a surface, which would be difficult if the book were affected by anti-gravity. It also figuratively means to stop reading a book that is very engaging.

Which of these classic riddles uses a pun in its answer?

• What has an eye, but cannot see? (A needle)

• What has to be broken before you can use it? (An egg)

• What kind of band never plays music? (A rubber band)

• What is full of holes but still holds water? (A sponge)

Answer explanation

The pun is on the word 'band,' which can mean a musical group or a rubber loop. The other riddles rely on literal but unexpected definitions, not wordplay.

Tags

CCSS.L.8.5A

Match the beginning of each punny joke to its correct punchline.

• A gummy bear.

• What do you call a bear with no teeth?

• It was two-tired.

• Why couldn't the bicycle stand up by itself?

• A blueberry.

• Why did the scarecrow win an award?

• Because he was outstanding in his field.

• What do you call a sad strawberry?

Answer explanation

Each punchline creates a pun by playing on the double meaning of words from the setup, like 'blue' (color/sadness) or 'outstanding' (excellent/standing out).

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CCSS.L.8.5A

In the pun "Knowing sign language is pretty handy," what is the literal meaning of "handy" that creates the wordplay?

• Clever and funny

• Involving the use of hands

• Difficult to learn

• Useful or convenient

Answer explanation

The pun plays on two meanings. The literal meaning connected to sign language is 'involving the use of hands.' The other common meaning is 'useful or convenient.'

Tags

CCSS.L.8.5A

Sort the following phrases into two categories: Pun or Not a Pun.

Groups:

(a) Pun

,

(b) Not a Pun

• Her smile was a ray of sunshine.

• Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana.

• A chicken farmer's favorite car is a coupe.

• He runs like the wind.

Answer explanation

Puns play on words ('flies,' 'coupe/coop'). The other phrases are a simile ('like the wind') and a metaphor ('ray of sunshine'), which are different types of figurative language.

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CCSS.L.8.5A

Your friend is a great baker. Which of the following is a punny compliment you could give them?

• You are very skilled at baking.

• This cake is delicious, thank you.

• You always rise to the occasion.

• I can tell you worked hard on this.

Answer explanation

'Rise to the occasion' is a pun because 'rise' is an idiom for meeting a challenge, but it also refers to how dough rises in baking. The other options are literal compliments.

Tags

CCSS.L.8.5A