View Full Version : Switch-hitting Modifiers


one_raven
02-10-08, 03:48 AM
Sorry to disappoint, but this has nothing to do with bisexual transgenders.

Let me give an example of what I am talking about:

The name Jane has gotten a bad rap over the years, as evidenced by the expression “Plain Jane”. I have to disagree. I think Jane is an elegantly simple, simply elegant name.
(it’s true, by the way, I think Jane is a very pretty name)

You see examples of this in advertising from time to time.
A popular one is:
Beautifully Simple.
Simply Beautiful.

1.) Does anyone know if this device or turn of phrase has a name?

2.) I would to see what clever examples of this some of the members here can come up with.

greenberg
02-10-08, 03:59 AM
I don't know the name of this structure, but I know this example:
Be brutally honest, but don't be honestly brutal.

one_raven
02-10-08, 04:03 AM
Good one!

one_raven
05-26-08, 06:34 PM
I thought this would go a bit further than that. :(

DJ Erock
06-04-08, 10:22 AM
Once you are barely legal, you can be legally bare.