How Do You Spell CALAMBOUR?

Pronunciation: [kˈalambə] (IPA)

Calambour is a French term used to refer to a pun or a play on words. Its spelling is derived from the French pronunciation phonetically represented as /kalãbuʁ/. The word is composed of two syllables, with the stress placed on the second syllable – bou. The first syllable – cal – is pronounced the same way as the English word "call," whereas the second syllable – bou – is pronounced with a nasal vowel similar to the "an" sound in the English word "pan."

CALAMBOUR Meaning and Definition

1. Calambour is a term derived from the French language, specifically from the word "calembour," which means pun or play on words. It is a literary device employed in writing or communication where the meaning of a particular word or phrase is deliberately twisted or manipulated to create a humorous or witty effect. This wordplay involves the use of homophones, homonyms, or homographs to create a double entendre, irony, or a humorous twist in the narrative.

   A calambour can be an intentional play on words, usually made by substituting a word or phrase with another that sounds similar but carries a different meaning. It is often used to create witty and unexpected connections between seemingly unrelated terms, resulting in clever or humorous wordplay. The purpose of a calambour is to surprise, amuse, or convey multiple meanings simultaneously, thereby adding depth and layers of interpretation to the text.

   Calambour is a recognized literary technique frequently employed in poetry, word puzzles, riddles, jokes, and even in everyday conversation, to produce a humorous effect or to enhance the richness and complexity of language. It requires a keen understanding of language and a mastery of wordplay, allowing the speaker or writer to exhibit their creativity, wit, and linguistic skills.

   In summary, calambour is a literary device characterized by the deliberate manipulation of words or phrases to create humor, irony, or clever connections. It involves playing with words that sound similar but have different meanings to evoke laughter, surprise, or deeper interpretations.

Common Misspellings for CALAMBOUR

• xalambour
• valambour
• falambour
• dalambour
• czlambour
• cslambour
• cwlambour
• cqlambour
• cakambour
• capambour
• caoambour
• calzmbour
• calsmbour
• calwmbour
• calqmbour
• calanbour
• calakbour
• calajbour
• calamvour

Etymology of CALAMBOUR

The word Calambour is derived from the French term calembour, which in turn originated from the Italian word calambovra. The Italian word calambovra refers to a pun or wordplay. It is believed to have originated from the Latin word calicare, meaning to tread or trample, which metaphorically evolved to mean to play or trifle with words. Over time, this evolved into the modern-day French term calembour, which eventually became anglicized to calambour.