Pun

The pun, also called paronomasia, is a form of word play that suggests two or more meanings, by exploiting multiple meanings of words, or of similar-sounding words, for an intended humorous or rhetorical effect. These ambiguities can arise from the intentional use of homophonic, homographic, metonymic, or figurative language. A pun differs from a malapropism in that a malapropism is an incorrect variation on a correct expression, while a pun involves expressions with multiple correct interpretations. Puns may be regarded as in-jokes or idiomatic constructions, as their usage and meaning are specific to a particular language and its culture.

Puns have a long history in human writing. Sumerian cuneiform and Egyptian hieroglyphs were originally based on punning systems, and the Roman playwright Plautus was famous for his puns and word games. Punning has been credited as the fundamental concept behind alphabets, writing, and even human civilization.

Typology

Puns can be classified in various ways:

Pan (surname)

Pān is the Mandarin pinyin romanization of the East Asian surname 潘. It is listed 43rd in the Song dynasty classic text Hundred Family Surnames. It is romanized as P'an in Wade–Giles; Poon, Pon, or Pun in Cantonese; Phua in Hokkien and Teochew.

潘 is also a common surname in Vietnam and Korea. It is romanized Phan in Vietnamese and Ban or Pan in Korean.

Distribution

Pan 潘 is the 37th most common surname in mainland China and the 31st most common surname on Taiwan.

None of the romanizations of Pan 潘 appeared among the 1000 most common surnames during the 2000 US census.

Origins

As with many Chinese surnames, the origins of the Pan are various and sometimes legendary.

One origin was a clan name taken from a fief north of Shaanxi granted to Ji Sun, a descendant of King Wen of Zhou. Some members descend from Ji Sun himself, others from his vassals.

Another source was a cadet branch of the ruling House of Mi (芈) of the State of Chu during the Spring and Autumn period. Among these Pans, Pan Chong served as regent and advisor for the state of Chu. When King Cheng of Chu decided to make a younger son the crown prince, Pan Chong aided the elder prince Shangchen instead. Shangchen forced King Cheng to commit suicide and ascended the throne as King Mu of Chu. Pan Chong was made the "Royal Tutor".

Pun (disambiguation)

Pun may refer to: