6 Brilliant and Surprising Groucho Marx Quotes

I’ve been missing my ex constantly…

but my aim is getting better. 😄🎯

Did you know there is a word for sayings with an unexpected or surprise twist?

The word in question is ‘paraprosdokian’, and it comes from the Greek words; para (beyond) and prosdokia (expectation).

As a bit of fun for this week’s #WordsmithWednesday, and to show a few more excellent examples of the subtle art of the surprise twist, here are 6 gems by Groucho Marx, whom it’s safe to say was an absolute master:

1️. “I’ve had a perfectly wonderful evening, but this wasn’t it.”

2️. “Behind every successful man is a woman, behind her is his wife.”

3️. “Believe me, you have to get up early if you want to get out of bed.”

4️. “Outside of a dog, a book is a man’s best friend. Inside of a dog, it’s too dark to read.”

5️. “Practically everybody in New York has half a mind to write a book — and does.”

6️. “I find television very educational. Every time someone switches it on I go into another room and read a good book.”

Have you seen any good paraprosdokians recently or got a personal favourite you’d like to share?

Because you can bet I’d love to hear it! ⤵️⤵️⤵️

Originally published at https://eleanorgoold.com on July 31, 2019.