Another Neologism
Uncle Andrew
I happen to like words that are derived from their more commonly-used opposite number. For instance: choate, meaning complete, perfectly formed, final, etc., derived from the far more common inchoate.
In this same vein, I offer you hypobole, a figure of speech in which one severely underemphasizes something for effect.
I’m still working on an example. Feel free to offer your own.
All portions of this site are © Andrew Lenzer, all rights reserved, unless otherwise noted.
February 18th, 2005 at 3:40 pm
How about “The recent Tsunami in SE Asia was unpleasant.” as an example of Hypobole?
February 18th, 2005 at 10:28 pm
How about “The recent Tsunami in SE Asia was unpleasant.” as an example of Hypobole?
That’ll work. 🙂
March 7th, 2005 at 1:59 pm
“They misunderestimated me.” — Shrub
“Houston, we have a problem.” — James Lovell
Ah, the classics!
March 7th, 2005 at 9:08 pm
Ooh, good ones!