paraprosdokian, paraprosdokia

(Greek: beyond expectations; surprise endings; a pun which is fun)

A phrase or sentence that takes readers to an unexpected conclusion: The paraprosdokian prepares people to anticipate something; however, it ends with a surprisingly different meaning and it is usually humorous.

Paraprosdokians are also defined as figures of speech in which the last part of the sentences or phrases are contrary to what is normally expected.

Etymology: from Greek para-, "beyond" and prosdokia, "expectation"; prosdokia consists of pro-, "before" + dokein. "to think, to imagine, to expect".


There are no specific sources for these paraprosdokians because they come from so many places.