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Calembour

Device
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

A pun exploiting phonetic similarity between words for humorous, ironic, or layered meaning, common in witty verse.

Detailed Definition
A calembour is a pun or play on words exploiting multiple meanings or similar sounds; in poetry, it creates wit, irony, or layered signification, central to metaphysical conceits (Donne), Shakespearean wordplay, and modernist linguistic experimentation.
Example
Example in poetry:
Calembour: Lewis Carroll’s “Jabberwocky” employs calembours (puns) such as “slithy” (slimy + lithe), blending sounds and meanings for playful linguistic effect.
Additional Notes
Calembour: French term for a pun, especially a witty or elaborate one; in poetry, calembours exploit homophony or polysemy for humor or layered meaning—e.g., Shakespeare’s wordplay or Ashbery’s ambiguities.
Also Known As
Pun wordplay double meaning verbal wit
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