Word of the Day: Oxymoron

By Daniel Scocco

background image 291

An oxymoron is a figure of speech where incongruous or contradictory terms are combined. Two examples are “genuine imitation” and “deafening silence.”

In response to ”Making E-ZPass Easier” (July 28), let’s not overlook the profound oxymoron of both the name and idea of New Jersey’s E-ZPass system and its out-of-state cousins. (NY Times)

Sure, they’ll have to endure three or four hours in an “extended-range regional jet” — a flying oxymoron if there ever was one. But those folks don’t have to go through Dallas or Chicago or St. Louis to get to New York, and that means a lot. (WSJ)

Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily!

Keep learning! Browse the Word of the Day category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:


3 Responses to “Word of the Day: Oxymoron”

  • Andy Knoedler

    I see the Wall Street Journal is also facing budget constraints. The editors there are evidently prevented from purchasing sufficient apostrophes.

  • Daniel Scocco

    @Andy, actually that was a quotation from another place. I fixed it with a new one from the actual WSJ.

  • Charlie

    Jumbo Shrimp . . . New Improved . . . Authentic Reproduction . . . I know the list is endless. I believe George Carlin did a routine on this. Love ’em – the oxymorons and Carlin.

Leave a comment: