Zeugma

                                            copyright O.V. Collingridge

I wonder how many of you know the word zeugma? I did not know this word until my junior year in college when I took a class on analyzing Shakespeare texts using literary devices. We used a really good book called Figures of Speech: 60 Ways to Turn a Phrase by Arthur Quinn and, fortunately, I still have my copy after all these years. 

The word zeugma (by the way, it's pronounced "zugma") is a noun. It comes from an ancient Greek word meaning "linked together". People who are specialists in analyzing language do not completely agree on what a zeugma is, but I'll give you the pretty basic definition:
Zeugma: when a clause (a part) of a sentence is missing a verb on purpose, usually for a dramatic or humorous effect.

Here is an example of how Shakespeare uses a zeugma in his famous play Romeo and Juliet:
"Passion lends them power, time means, to meet."

What Shakespeare is saying is that “passion” lends Romeo and Juliet the power to meet. 

Not only that, “time” ALSO lends Romeo and Juliet the means to meet. 

As you can see, Shakespeare chose to leave out the verb "lends" from the second part of the sentence.

Don't worry if you are confused; you'll see that again in 8th grade when you study this play.

Here is a clearer example of the use of a zeugma:

"Bob loves soccer, and Susie tennis."

In this case, it's very easy to tell what verb was left out in the second part of the sentence.

Why use a zeugma? Why not just say:

"Bob loves soccer, and Susie loves tennis."??

Well, it gives a more sophisticated effect to writing.

Here is an example of a more dramatic use of a zeugma from Star Trek: The Next Generation:

"You are free to execute your laws, and your citizens, as you see fit." 

Do you get it? 

Why do I like the word zeugma? I have many reasons. Not only do I like the way it sounds, I also like that it comes from ancient Greek. In addition, I really like words that begin with the letter "z" because there are not many of them in English and they are good to know for playing Scrabble, a game I enjoy. For those of you who know Scrabble, you know that a "z" is worth 10 points, both in the English and French versions!

Moreover, when I think of the word zeugma, it brings back very good memories of that class in college since we spent time looking for literary devices in Shakespeare texts. The professor was really good (although I don't remember his name...).

Not so many people know the word zeugma. I like to try use this device in writing, although I am not very skilled yet at using it in a humorous way. You can see how someone could write a sentence, leaving out the verb on purpose in order to make the reader laugh, like in these examples: 

“The angry man lost his temper and his coat.”

“On his fishing trip, he caught eight trout and a cold.”

“The farmers grew potatoes, peanuts, and bored.”

“She killed time and the mailman.”