Words: pun, n. and v.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.NO SOONER had I written about Acas than came the hope that the next time negotiations stall, some headline writer comes up with "Burnt- out Acas". A way with puns stretches to the denizens of Wardour Street, in their red-rimmed spectacles, and the free-associating David Helfgott. To pun can suggest clinical mania.
One famous depressive, Samuel Johnson, noted "I know not whence this word is to be deduced." The OED posits that - like mob and snob - it was a Restoration truncating of pundigrion, from the Italian puntiglio, a quibble. Puns cause derision and guilt, inspire many variations, such as Henry James's "one little punkin" - and yet our century would be the less without the Marx Brothers' "viaduct / why a duck" routine.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments