Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site calmasd.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!ittatc!dcdwest!sdcsvax!sdcc3!sdcc6!calmasd!dmm From: dmm@calmasd.UUCP (David M. MacMillan) Newsgroups: net.nlang Subject: Rhetorical Device Query Message-ID: <538@calmasd.UUCP> Date: Wed, 14-Aug-85 14:26:03 EDT Article-I.D.: calmasd.538 Posted: Wed Aug 14 14:26:03 1985 Date-Received: Tue, 20-Aug-85 01:00:38 EDT References: <277@mit-athena.UUCP> <3318@dartvax.UUCP> <723@ptsfa.UUCP> <> <181@proper.UUCP> <634@psivax.UUCP> Reply-To: dmm@calmasd.UUCP (David M. MacMillan) Distribution: net.nlang Organization: Calma Company, San Diego, CA Lines: 29 Is there a name for the rhetorical device of using a trite phrase with its original meaning? It is a curious device whose success depends upon the phrase being so well- worn that its literal meaning seems surprising, but not so archaic that its literal meaning is no longer understandable. (An example of this latter would be the phrase "a nice distinction". Here, this literal use of "nice" has passed out oof the language. Indeed, I suppose that modern usage of the parallel phrase "a nice mess this is" is probably ironic, and unrelated to the 18th century meaning of "nice". I could easily be wrong. I don't suppose Alexander Pope ever said "Have a nice day.") The only two examples of this rhetorical device which come to mind are: 1. The song "I Should Care" (1940's?) in which the singer complains that "I [she] should care" about all the wrongs done to her by her beloved, but closes with the line "I should care, and I do." 2. "Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men?" "The Shadow knows." (I don't think that the common use of the phrase "who knows?" implies the existance of anyone knowing). David M. MacMillan