First recorded in English around 1662; origin uncertain and disputed. Possible sources include Italian puntiglio ('fine point, quibble') or an English dialectal word. Samuel Johnson speculated a connection to Latin pungo ('to prick'). The OED marks it as 'of obscure origin'. The verb 'to pun' appeared around the same time as the noun.
What is a pun?
A pun is a form of wordplay that exploits two or more meanings of a word, or the similarity in sound between two different words, to produce a humorous or rhetorical effect. For example: 'I used to be a banker, but I lost interest.'
What is the difference between a pun and a double entendre?
A double entendre is a specific type of pun or wordplay where one of the two meanings is suggestive or risqué. Not all puns are double entendres — a pun can involve any two meanings, innocent or otherwise.
What is the rhetorical term for a pun?
The rhetorical and literary term for a pun is paronomasia — a figure of speech that involves a play on words. The term is used in classical rhetoric and literary analysis.
Why do people groan at puns?
The 'pun groan' is a cultural reflex to wordplay that is obvious, laboured, or groan-inducing — sometimes called a 'dad joke'. The groan acknowledges the pun was noticed while mildly disapproving of its silliness. In practice, groan-worthy puns often produce laughter too.
Where does the word pun come from?
The origin is uncertain. First recorded in English around 1662, it may derive from Italian puntiglio (a fine point, quibble) or an English dialectal word. Samuel Johnson proposed a link to Latin pungo (to prick), but this is speculative. The OED marks it as 'of obscure origin'.