Double Entendres: Playing with Words Can Leave You Laughing

A perfect sentence uses language to convey meaning. What happens when the words you use have more than one meaning?

Language devices like double-meaning words are clever words that play on multiple meanings, resulting in deplorable puns when not taken in context, they give rise to humorous situations. In this blog post, I’ll explore the world of double-meaning words and share my favourite examples.

What Are Double-Meaning Words?

Double-meaning words, also known as double entendres, are words or phrases with two or more meanings. Often one meaning is more obvious, and another meaning might be racy (depending on whether your mind is in the gutter that day). These words are often used for comedic effect, but they can also add nuance and depth to writing. You will often encounter them in jokes, riddles, romances, mysteries, thrillers, and groaner media headlines.

I think everyone has heard a classic joke which illustrates this. The word is “guts” which can refer to the entrails of the body or on the other hand “guts” can be a show of a person’s grit or courage. My favourite joke, which has been asked of me by all my nieces and nephews as they learned comedy:

“Why didn’t the skeleton jump off the cliff? Because he didn’t have the guts to.”

Using Double-Meaning Words in Writing

Double-meaning words are a playful way to use language to convey multiple meanings. Double-meaning words can add a layer of nuance and humour to your writing, but they should be used sparingly and appropriately. When using double-meaning words, it’s important to consider your audience and the context in which you’re writing. What might be funny in one situation might come across as inappropriate or confusing in another.

Examples of Double-Meaning Words

From puns to jokes to subtle nuances, these words can add depth and humour to your writing. There are countless examples of double-meaning words in the English language. I have chosen a list of words from a Grade 9 to 12 level language class and will attempt to show the multiple meanings of words with minimal explanation

Custom: “Grandma ordered custom china for the wedding, as that is a local custom. She miscalculated the cost as she didn’t add customs to the total.”

Made to particular specifications
A traditional manner in which social situations are executed
A tax or duty paid on imports/exports

Draft: “The draft from the window lifted the draft resignation letter off the table. A military draft notice to report for service prompted a farewell party at the local pub where the draft was flowing.”

A gust of wind
To prepare a preliminary version of (a document, drawing, or plan).
Denoting beer or other drink that is kept in and served from a barrel or tank rather than from a bottle or can
Compulsory recruitment for military service.
Select (a person or group of people) and bring them somewhere for a certain purpose.
An animal used for pulling heavy loads.