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Figaro rips the innards out of things people say and reveals the rhetorical tricks and pratfalls. For terms and definitions, click here.
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Monday
07Nov

Can’t We Kill the Bike Instead?

DateMonday, November 7, 2005 at 08:57AM

calvinbike.gifQuote:  "Imminent death makes me tense! I admit it!"  Calvin in the "Calvin & Hobbes" comic strip.

Figure of Speech:  paromologia (pa ro mo LOW gia), the judo move.

Calvin's dad is trying to get him to ride a bike.  "Look Calvin, you’ve got to relax a little," he says.  Calvin replies with a great paromologia, a figure that concedes a point in order to make a stronger one, like sacrificing a pawn in chess.

Try using the same trick.  Instead of disagreeing, agree, then use the point to your advantage.  You may never have to ride a bike again.

Snappy Answer:  "Imminent death builds character."

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