# Is it possible to talk about oxymorons without being bombarded with all the joke ones
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-talk-about-oxymorons-without-being-bombarded-with-all-the-joke-ones/392323
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion
**Created:** [February 15, 2007, 7:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-talk-about-oxymorons-without-being-bombarded-with-all-the-joke-ones/392323 "2007-02-15T07:52:06Z")
**Posts on this page:** 10
**Page:** 2
### Author:  [@Kizarvexius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kizarvexius)
#### Post date: [February 16, 2007, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-talk-about-oxymorons-without-being-bombarded-with-all-the-joke-ones/392323/21 "2007-02-16T16:40:02Z")
[QUOTE=Captain Carrot]
No, it’s not possible, especially here, because there are always some wiseasses.
[/QUOTE]
😃
Cute. Very cute.
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### Author:  [@Captain\_Carrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Carrot)
#### Post date: [February 16, 2007, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-talk-about-oxymorons-without-being-bombarded-with-all-the-joke-ones/392323/22 "2007-02-16T17:31:16Z")
Thanks! How? 😕 Is that remark wiseassish\* in itself?
\*-I invented a word. Shut up. It makes sense.
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### Author:  [@PBear42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PBear42)
#### Post date: [February 17, 2007, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-talk-about-oxymorons-without-being-bombarded-with-all-the-joke-ones/392323/23 "2007-02-17T06:09:19Z")
I’ve tried to eliminate the “joke” ones. That is, I agree oxymora based equivocation aren’t true oxymora. (Note: Yes, it’s oxymora, not oxymorons. Check any dictionary.) Though I will say that I find them amusing.
almost exactly
alone together
birthday suit
clear as mud
cold as hell
definite maybe
down elevator
elevated subway
found missing
free with purchase
freezer burn
genuine imitation
good grief
Hard Day’s Night
include me out
instant classic
less is more
liquid smoke
little pregnant, a
near miss (should be near hit)
nondairy creamer
110% [120%, etc.]
passive aggresive
plastic glasses
same difference
serious fun
silent scream
sophomore (means “wise-fool”)
Sounds of Silence
Tears of a Clown
uncommonly normal
unsalted Saltines
very unique
virtual reality
working vacation
BTW, just what is the debate here? Seems to me this belongs in IMHO or MPSIMS.
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### Author:  [@Taber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taber)
#### Post date: [February 17, 2007, 9:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-talk-about-oxymorons-without-being-bombarded-with-all-the-joke-ones/392323/24 "2007-02-17T09:47:38Z")
[QUOTE=Captain Carrot]
Thanks! How? 😕 Is that remark wiseassish\* in itself?
\*-I invented a word. Shut up. It makes sense.
[/QUOTE]
Wise ass might be considered an oxymoron. If intentional, your post would have been a pretty clever way to slip it in.
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### Author:  [@Horatio\_Hellpop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatio_Hellpop)
#### Post date: [February 17, 2007, 10:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-talk-about-oxymorons-without-being-bombarded-with-all-the-joke-ones/392323/25 "2007-02-17T10:17:51Z")
Why the snooty attitude towards joke oxymorons? My favorite: “Marijuana initiative.”
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### Author:  [@drewbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewbert)
#### Post date: [February 17, 2007, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-talk-about-oxymorons-without-being-bombarded-with-all-the-joke-ones/392323/26 "2007-02-17T16:52:23Z")
[QUOTE=Ludovic]
I hear Fresh Frozen Jumbo Shrimp go well with Very Young Small Early Peas. Actually, come to think of it, now I’m getting hungry…
[/QUOTE]
Only if they’re eaten with plastic silverware on paper china.
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### Author:  [@Captain\_Carrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Carrot)
#### Post date: [February 17, 2007, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-talk-about-oxymorons-without-being-bombarded-with-all-the-joke-ones/392323/27 "2007-02-17T17:35:05Z")
[QUOTE=Taber]
Wise ass might be considered an oxymoron.
[/QUOTE]
I don’t think so. Well, it might, but I don’t think validly. ‘Wise’ and ‘ass’ are not being applied in a contradictory manner here: you behave like an ass and purport to be wiser than the object of your snark.
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### Author:  [@MEBuckner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MEBuckner)
#### Post date: [February 17, 2007, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-talk-about-oxymorons-without-being-bombarded-with-all-the-joke-ones/392323/28 "2007-02-17T18:34:40Z")
**Moderator’s Note:** It doesn’t look like any great debate has broken out here, so I shall make haste slowly and move this thread over to IMHO.
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### Author:  [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)
#### Post date: [February 17, 2007, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-talk-about-oxymorons-without-being-bombarded-with-all-the-joke-ones/392323/29 "2007-02-17T18:56:08Z")
Today I am well and truly ill.
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### Author:  [@PBear42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PBear42)
#### Post date: [February 18, 2007, 8:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-talk-about-oxymorons-without-being-bombarded-with-all-the-joke-ones/392323/30 "2007-02-18T08:02:58Z")
Oh, and I forgot one that I learned recently here on the SDMB but forgot to add to my list:
literally raining cats and dogs (or other metaphor)
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