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  Daniela Tsaneva May 8, 2022 14:50

  Advertisements are an important part of our lives, but do we always understand them?

  In this article, I want to discuss the most commonly used creative approach. We see it in advertisements and Art, and it originated in English-speaking countries.

  Usually, people take a set phrase, which is well known to the wide public, or at least to the target audience, and change one word with another one.

  An example could be substituting the title of the popular book Arabian Nights with Arabian Days. I did that to name a pair of earrings, which were looking very Arabian to me with their style. They were yellow like the bright sunshine during the day, which became the reason to use days instead of nights.

  Another example could be a pun with the megapopular book name Harry Potter and turning it to Happy Potter. This is the name of a shop that sells pottery. Happy and Harry sound very much alike, only one sound is different.

  The words should either sound alike or be antonyms.  Another option could be to use words under the same “umbrella” like seasons, days of the week, etc.

  This is possible both visually and verbally.

  The old set phrase and the new one are interacting with each other, they remain together and are interrelated. This creative approach is used to deride, or on the contrary – to take a bow to a great person and his or her creations.

  Here is the whole text:

  https://magentaisblue.blog/en/lets-talk-seriously-about-puns/
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  Premarajan November 9, 2021 16:32

  It's a great thing that you made it black and white.

  Will be well and good if not lengthy.

  Thanks
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  Daniela Tsaneva November 7, 2021 9:22

  It has become common in movie titles and in everyday speech to shorten idioms and proverbs. As a subtitler, I have come across many instances of such puns. They might be easy-breezy for a native speaker to understand, but they can also be an obstacle for foreigners to actually get the meaning. Here are some examples:

  What happens in Vegas…

  stays in Vegas – a movie with Cameron Diaz. This idiom means that something happened, and it happened here, nobody needs to know it. We should keep it a secret.

  When in Rome…

  do as the Romans do – I heard it in a TED presentation by a woman. She explained that the Quran says that you should adjust to the customs of the country you live in.

  Obviously, this is a proverb that originated in ancient times. It is used commonly, and it has been shortened so often, some people don’t understand it anymore. It’s an analogy making use of the strict rule of the ancient Roman empire, and synonymous with “Going with the flow,” or doing something because everyone else is doing it. Basically, it means to adapt.

  Every cloud has a…

  silver lining –Every bad situation has some good aspects to it. This proverb is usually used as an encouragement to a person who is overcome by some difficulty and is unable to see any positive way forward.

  I came, I saw…

  I conquered – I heard it in A$AP Rocky’s song “Praise The Lord” and I thought it is fun and shows how surprisingly well educated the author is. The whole phrase is “I came, I saw, I conquered” or “Veni, Vidi, Vici” in Latin. 

   It is believed that Julius Caesar used it in a letter that was sent to the Roman Senate after his swift victory in a short war. Since Ancient times this sentence was modified by many people to show their supremacy over someone.

  Damsel…

  in distress – the stereotype of a girl who should be saved. You can call a girl “damsel” if she gets into trouble all the time and needs help.

  A friend in need…

  is a friend indeed – This is a phrase that must have originated in ancient times too. The meaning seems to be obvious. You only understand who your friend is when he helps you, but the shortened phrase (a friend in need) started being used for a friend you call only when you need a favor.

  Source: https://magentaisblue.blog/en/do-you-understand-these-puns/

  

  Do You Understand These Puns? - Puns

  Native speakers of English don't always finish the most commonly used phrases. If you are not, you should better read this.
• 

  Jivan Bhardwaj October 29, 2021 14:53

  Hi, Daniela Tsaneva

   We have a skype group to practice English speaking skills.

  let me know if you want to join.

  https://join.skype.com/invite/jg4kLh8ypbgP

  

   

  

  Join conversation

  Skype keeps the world talking. Call, message, and share whatever you want - for free.
• 

  Daniela Tsaneva October 29, 2021 13:06

  Hello! Thank you for approving my application. I hope I will find a lot of friends here. I work as a subtitler, but I rarely have the chance to speak English. 
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  salah gammaa October 28, 2021 16:48

  Hello Daniela Tsaneva, welcome to My EC. I hope to be one of your friends. Thanks.