Gordon Jarvie, in the Bloomsbury Grammar Guide, writes that a pun is “a figure of speech that uses words in such a way as to convey — and make a play on — their double meaning.â€
As an example, Jarvie cites a placard in a photographer’s shop window that reads, “Our business is developing.â€
Shopkeepers seem to be a great source of playful puns, and some even use puns in the names of their establishments. We photographed this shop that sells and repairs clocks, watches and other timepieces. The name of the shop: It’s About Time. (See photo.)
“It’s about time†is an expression that’s often uttered in relief or sarcastically in exasperation. But at the business photographed above, the daily affairs are entirely concerned with keeping the hours; in short, it’s about time!
Is there a shop near you that has a pun in its name? Or perhaps a pun-laced sign in its window? Share your photo with Grammar at Large. Submit it to us using this form. Please include “for Grammar Grater†in your description. Thanks!
recommend
Facebook
Twitter
bookmark 
print
Comments: 1