Oxymorons
open secret
--larger half-- clearly confused --
act naturally --alone together-- Hell's Angels--
found missing --liquid gas
--civil engineer --
deafening silence --seriously
funny-- living dead--
Microsoft Works -- jumbo shrimp --Advanced BASIC --
tragic comedy --unbiased opinion --virtual reality --
definite maybe
--original copies --pretty ugly--
same difference
--plastic glasses-- almost exactly --
constant variable-- even odds --minor crisis-- extinct life -
genuine imitation --exact
estimate --only choice --
freezer burn --free love --working holiday
rolling stop--Great Depression --free trade --
peacekeeper missile-- sweet tart --crash landing--
sweet sorrow-- student teacher --silent scream --
taped live --alone together --good grief -
tight slacks --living dead --near
miss--
light tanks --old news --hot chilli --criminal justice--
peace force.
Ambiguous News Headlines:
These are examples of how ambiguous newspaper headlines can lead to some amusing conclusions. These are from actual newspaper headlines collected by Fun With Words.com for grammatical/educational purposes.
EYE DROPS OFF SHELF
KIDS MAKE
NUTRITIOUS SNACKS
STOLEN PAINTING FOUND BY TREE
QUEEN MARY HAVING BOTTOM SCRAPED
DEALERS WILL HEAR CAR TALK AT NOON
MINERS REFUSE TO WORK AFTER DEATH
MILK DRINKERS ARE TURNING TO POWDER
DRUNK GETS NINE MONTHS IN VIOLIN CASE
JUVENILE COURT TO TRY SHOOTING DEFENDANT
COMPLAINTS ABOUT NBA REFEREES GROWING UGLY
PANDA MATING FAILS; VETERINARIAN TAKES OVER
POLICE BEGIN CAMPAIGN TO RUN DOWN JAYWALKERS
KILLER SENTENCED TO DIE FOR SECOND TIME IN 10 YEARS
SAFETY EXPERTS SAY SCHOOL BUS PASSENGERS SHOULD BE BELTED
2 SISTERS REUNITED AFTER 18 YEARS AT CHECKOUT COUNTER
MAN EATING PIRANHA MISTAKENLY SOLD AS PET FISH
ASTRONAUT TAKES BLAME FOR GAS IN SPACECRAFT
INCLUDE YOUR CHILDREN WHEN BAKING COOKIES
OLD SCHOOL PILLARS ARE REPLACED BY ALUMNI
GRANDMOTHER OF EIGHT MAKES HOLE IN ONE
HOSPITALS ARE SUED BY 7 FOOT DOCTORS
LAWMEN FROM MEXICO BARBECUE GUESTS
TWO SOVIET SHIPS COLLIDE, ONE DIES
ENRAGED COW INJURES FARMER WITH AX
LACK OF BRAINS HINDERS RESEARCH
RED TAPE HOLDS UP NEW BRIDGE
SQUAD HELPS DOG BITE VICTIM
IRAQI HEAD SEEKS ARMS
HERSHEY BARS PROTEST
Fun with Anagrams:
Debit card = Bad credit
Halley's Comet = Shall yet come
Punishment = Nine Thumps
Dormitory = Dirty room
Astronomer = Moon starer
The Hurricanes = These churn air
Schoolmaster = The classroom
The Eyes= They see
Do you have any oxymorons, anagrams, or other similar wordplay to share?
Share your examples in the comments below!
Have a great day and Happy Reading!
Sources:1. Oxymorons, Anagrams, and Ambiguous Headlines courtesy <http://www.Fun-With-Words.com> 05/07/2012.
Fish Image from: Voiceable.org <http://www.voiceable.org/english-language.html> 05/12/2012.
English is a Crazy Language image from: "Proper English" <http://blogs.uww.edu/prosers2012/2012/03/26/proper-english/> 05/07/2012.
