# Syllepsis Using one word in two (or more) incongruous ways.[^1] In its simple form, it's a pun.[^2] An example: "Sir Edward Hopeless, as a guest at Lady Panmore's ball, complained of feeling I'll, took a highball, his hat, his coat, his departure, no notice of his friends, a taxi, a pistol from his pocket, and finally his life."[^1] Phrasal verbs (a verb plus a preposition) are apt for this. An example: "The trouble with Ian is that he gets off with women because he can't get on with them." Also, "She made no reply, up her mind, and a dash for the door."[^2] It can be used for more serious effect when contrasting the concrete with the abstract, as in, "Rend your heart, and not your garments." Alexander Pope liked it: "Lose her heart or honour at a ball."[^3] Or in *Tom Sawyer*: "covered themselves in dust and glory."[^4] Syllepsis can come across as obnoxiously clever, so be careful with it.[^4] [^1]: [[The Elements of Eloquence]] pg. 108 [^2]: [[The Elements of Eloquence]] pg. 109 [^3]: [[The Elements of Eloquence]] pg. 110 [^4]: [[The Elements of Eloquence]] pg. 111