Thinkin' Thursday - Paraprosdokian Sentences

My husband forwarded me an email he had received because he thought I would dig it. And, he was absolutely right. First off, a word I had never heard of. Then and explanation & some examples. So, on this installment of Thinkin' Thursday, I thought I would share.

What the heck is a paraprosdokian? According to the Uncyclopedia, he was a Greek hero - with a really bad name & an affinity for the girls. But, I digress, according to Wordnik, it is a figure of speech where the end of the phrase is surprising & unexpected. And that's where we come in.

Here are some examples:

The last thing I want to do is hurt you. But it's still on the list.

We never really grow up, we only learn how to act in public.

A bus station is where a bus stops. A train station is where a train stops. On my desk, I have a work station.

A bank is a place that will lend you money, if you can prove that you don't need it.

Always borrow money from a pessimist. He won't expect it back.

When tempted to fight fire with fire, remember that the Fire Department usually uses water.

Some people hear voices. Some see invisible people. Others have no imagination whatsoever.


A bus is a vehicle that runs twice as fast when you are after it as when you are in it.

Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine.

So here in lies the challenge. What paraprosdokian sentences can you come up with?

Happy Writing,

Patti