Monday, August 1, 2016

Sound and Sense, 58



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.

1. dual (adj.): having two different parts; having two of something
2. duel (noun): a fight between two people in the presence of witnesses; a conflict between antagonistic persons, ideas, or forces

A dual donut, so he thought
Would be a thing admired and bought,
And so a recipe he sought.

He had no luck—and so devised
His own. And it was super-sized!
Success! And wealth! But then … surprised:

He got a challenge from a guy—
A duel beneath the morning sky!
“You didn’t make that—that did I!”

So cried this challenger. And so
They met with seconds in the know.
Their weapons—balls of donut dough.

The winner was our challenged guy.
His coated foe—from head to thigh—
They made into a thick meat pie.

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