XPost: alt.usage.english, alt.language.latin

Zeugma (Semantic Mismatch) -- Syllepsis (Grammar Mismatch)


A syllepsis is a specific kind of zeugma and can be used as a synonym
for zeugma; a syllepsis is a figure of speech where a word is
applied to two other words with different meanings, for example:
-- She caught the ball and a sharp look from the coach.



dear Usage nerds and Wonks:

One rule of thumb is...

Zeugma requires a Semantic mismatch, whereas...

Syllepsis requires a grammatical mismatch.



For example, take this sentence, "She exercises to keep healthy and I to
lose weight."

The syllepsis occurs with the verb [exercises]. The problem is
that only one subject, "she" (not "I"), agrees with the verb.

___________________________


What is a Type 4 syllepsis?
Where a verb applies to two objects but in
different senses. But apparently there is a “Type 4 Syllepsis”: A
special case of semantic syllepsis occurs when a word or phrase is used
both in its figurative and literal sense at the same time.




Syllepsis can also be grammatical:
"They or I am wrong." <-----------(ok, this is Syllepsis)


Neither they or it is working.



Zeugma: John and his driver's license expired last week.

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