What’s an oxymoron?

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An oxymoron (noun) is a figure of speech combining two seemingly contradictory, incompatible or opposite words.

The plural of oxymoron is oxymoraOxymorons is also used.

Oxymora are very common in everyday English.

 

Examples:

♦ an open secret

♦ a deafening silence

♦ act naturally

♦ old news

♦ a small crowd

♦ friendly fire (a military term / euphemism referring to the accidental firing towards one’s own troops instead of the enemy)

♦ seriously funny

‘Groundhog Day is a seriously funny film’ – this means Groundhog Day is a very funny film.

 

The term oxymoron is often used in a humorous or cynical way – for example with reference to terms such as:

♦ military intelligence

♦ an honest politician

♦ wedded bliss

♦ airline schedule

 

Can you think of any more examples of oxymora?

 

Comments

  1. I have been told countless times that ‘German humour’ is apparently an oxymoron. 😉
    Angelika Davey recently posted..German idiom – wo sich Fuchs und Hase gute Nacht sagenMy Profile
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  2. How about affordable housing 😉

    Seriously though umm, how about ‘almost ready’?
    Anita recently posted..The scarred wing of a Peacock butterflyMy Profile

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