Is there a name for this comic device?

[yabob]

Example (from a play called Hadrian VII, probably slightly paraphrased, not that it matters):

"Go tickle your ass with a feather."

"WHAT did you say?"

"I said 'particularly nasty weather.'"

Is there a term for this particular gimmick? That is, a character says something nasty and insulting, then when asked to repeat it by an outraged victim says something perfectly innocous which is phonetically similar. To keep this out of MPSIMS, I suppose we need to try to discuss the technique, not provide fresh examples from "South Park" or other sources.

[Northern Piper]

Don't know the name of the device, but Rumpole is a master of it, when addressing the Mad Bull and She Who Must Be Obeyed.

(oh, you didn't want more examples? too late now)

[RealityChuck]

I don't know if there's a particular name. But I do find the device pretty tired these days. It's not really all that funny any more.

[MsRobyn]

Originally posted by yabob
Example (from a play called Hadrian VII, probably slightly paraphrased, not that it matters):

"Go tickle your ass with a feather."

"WHAT did you say?"

"I said 'particularly nasty weather.'"



FTR, this specific exchange was also used in the (so bad it's good) movie Up the Academy.

That said, I don't know what it's called.

Robin

[Duck Duck Goose]

There's a thing called a malapropism.
http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary
Main Entry: mal·a·prop·ism
Pronunciation: 'ma-l&-"prä-"pi-z&m
Function: noun
Etymology: Mrs. Malaprop, character noted for her misuse of words in R. B. Sheridan's comedy The Rivals (1775)
Date: 1849
1 : the usually unintentionally humorous misuse or distortion of a word or phrase; especially : the use of a word sounding somewhat like the one intended but ludicrously wrong in the context
2 : MALAPROP
- mal·a·prop·ist /-"prä-pist/ noun


Main Entry: 1mal·a·prop
Pronunciation: 'ma-l&-"präp
Function: noun
Etymology: Mrs. Malaprop
Date: 1823
: an example of malapropism <was famed for malaprops: he always said "polo bears" and "Remember Pearl Island" and "neon stockings" -- Time>

[yabob]

Malapropism doesn't particularly fit - that generally involves a ludicrous misuse which is unintentional, and the butt of the gag is the speaker who made the mistake. This specific device involves intention on the part the original speaker, and is being used against the character serving as the speaker's foil (usually an authority figure whom the speaker is getting the intellectual better of).

[Dr_Paprika]

Well dammit, if it doesn't have a name it needs one. Any suggestions?

[mobo85]

Well, it's not a malapropism, and it's spot a noonerism...I mean, not a spoonerism.