English Explanatory Dictionary

Tom Swifty

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A humorous phrase in which a supposed quotation is linked by a pun to the manner in which it is attributed.

Pronunciation

tŏm′ swĭft′ē /ˌtɒm ˈswɪft.iː/ /ˌtɔːm ˈswɪft.iː/ /ˌtɔm ˈswɪft.i/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Naomi Persephone Amethyst (NaomiAmethyst)-Tom Swifty.wav /ˌtɑm ˈswɪft.i/ /ˌtɒm ˈswɪft.i/ /ˌtɔm ˈswɪft.iː/ /ˌtɒm ˈswəft.iː/ /ˌʈɔm ˈswɪfʈ.iː/

Word forms

Tom Swifty Tom Swifties Tom Swiftie

Etymology

Referring to the Tom Swift series of books, whose authors frequently avoided the word "said" in favour of other constructions, + -y.

Related words

elegant variation Wellerism wrylie
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