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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
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Reply-To: dmm@calmasd.UUCP (David M. MacMillan)
Distribution: net.nlang
Organization: Calma Company, San Diego, CA
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     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