Word of the day, 12th March 2015

pun /pʌn/ (noun)
– the use of words or phrases to exploit ambiguities and innuendoes in their meaning, usually for humorous effect; a play on words.  There are many different kinds of puns; you can read about them on Wikipedia, if you are interested

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pun

Whenever I think of this word, I think of the Monty Python, “Dead Parrot” sketch, in which, in a rather unlikely circumstance, a customer enters a pet shop and asks if it is Bolton (a town in the UK).  The pet shop owner replies, “No, this is Ipswich“.  A little later, the customer returns, having confirmed it is indeed Bolton, and says, “I understand this IS Bolton… You told me it was Ipswich!”  To which the owner replies, “It was a pun.”

The image is a screenshot from that copyrighted TV programme.  Copyright is most likely owned by the BBC.  It is believed that this limited, low-resolution use for commentary of the contents of the programme, used on a not-for-profit website, qualifies as fair use under copyright law.