We’re moving next
to the homophone: a word pronounced the same as another but differing in
meaning, whether spelled the same way or not, as heir and air. So … contronyms are words that have contradictory meanings (sanctiion = approve and
disapprove; homophones sound alike
but to not mean the same—and often are not spelled the same, either.
can’t (verb): contraction of can not
cant (noun): the expression or
repetition of conventional or trite opinions or sentiments; esp. the use of
pious words
“What is your problem!” cried my aunt.
My uncle
said, “I can’t stand cant.”
“Oh, well,”
she said, “go out and paint!”
“Go paint
the barn!?” he said. “I ain’t.”
“You should
have said, ‘I’m not,’” she snipped.
“You’re
right,” he said. “I simply tripped
Upon my
silly stupid tongue—”
He said no
more: His neck was wrung.
And so it
goes with uncles, aunts:
The loser
often wears the pants.
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