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Festivus (/ ˈ f ɛ s t ɪ v ə s /) is a secular holiday celebrated on December 23 as an alternative to the perceived pressures and commercialism of the Christmas season.Originally created by author Daniel O'Keefe, Festivus entered popular culture after it was made the focus of the 1997 Seinfeld episode "The Strike", [1] [2] which O'Keefe's son, Dan O'Keefe, co-wrote.
Antiphrasis is the rhetorical device of saying the opposite of what is actually meant in such a way that it is obvious what the true intention is. [1] Some authors treat and use antiphrasis just as irony, euphemism or litotes. [2] When the antiphrasal use is very common, the word can become an auto-antonym, [3] having opposite meanings ...
The act sanctifies ambivalence toward that which is normally considered absolute, single, or monolithic. Carnivalistic symbols always include their opposite within themselves: "Birth is fraught with death, and death with new birth." [4] The crowning implies the de-crowning, and the de-crowning implies a new crowning. It is thus the process of ...
Apophasis (/ ə ˈ p ɒ f ə s ɪ s /; from Ancient Greek ἀπόφασις (apóphasis), from ἀπόφημι (apóphemi) 'to say no') [1] [2] is a rhetorical device wherein the speaker or writer brings up a subject by either denying it, or denying that it should be brought up. [3]
A figure of speech or rhetorical figure is a word or phrase that intentionally deviates from straightforward language use or literal meaning to produce a rhetorical or intensified effect (emotionally, aesthetically, intellectually, etc.). [1] [2] In the distinction between literal and figurative language, figures of
Opposite Day is a make believe game usually played by children. Conceptually, Opposite Day is a holiday where things are said and done in an opposite manner. It is not a holiday on any calendar and therefore one can declare that any day of the year is Opposite Day (sometimes retroactively) to indicate something which will be said, or has just been said should be understood opposite to its ...
The English word "conviviality" means "the enjoyment of festive society, festivity", or, as applied to people, "convivial spirit or disposition". [ 1 ] Etymology
Etymologically it derives from the Greek stikhos ("row, line of verse") + muthos ("speech, talk"). [4] Stichomythia is particularly well suited to sections of dramatic dialogue where two characters are in violent dispute. The rhythmic intensity of the alternating lines combined with quick, biting ripostes in the dialogue can create a powerful ...