You are probably wondering how something that sounds so complex like ‘oxymorons’ can tickle our English knowledge. Trust us when we say, if you are into this language and know the fundamentals, this list will surely amuse you. To begin with, let us understand what an oxymoron is in the first place.
In layman language, oxymorons are words phrases that do not make sense because their meanings contradict each other. Here’s a little fun fact, the word Oxymoron is an oxymoron too. It comes from a Greek word “Oxus” meaning sharp and “moron” meaning stupid. How can something be sharply stupid? Thus, the meanings of the two words put together contradict one another.
Now that we have our hands on the concept, let’s get ready to chuckle at these 15 funny oxymorons that you may be using too!
15 Funny Oxymorons
1. Modern Tradition
Modern tradition is one of the funniest oxymorons on our list. We all know modern means, and tradition refers to practice from the olden times. How can something new be old? Quite a thinker!
2. Thunderous Silence
Did you do the math on this one and laugh already? It is something to think about. Thunder is a loud sound that accompanies lightning. And the world silence in itself means quiet. There is no way that silence can be thunderous, and thunder can be silent.
3. Exact Estimate
Okay, we have all chuckled on this one! While exact refers to something accurate, an estimate is only an idea. How can an estimation be exact when it is merely a rough calculation/judgment?
4. Deliberate Mistake
Quick question, does anyone make mistakes intentionally? Because if it is deliberate, it is an act, not a mistake, and if it is a mistake, it is not deliberate. You see how this looks when we break it down?
5. Unusual Routine
A routine is a fixed schedule, and when someone has a routine, they “usually” stick to it. If they aren’t sticking to it, there is no routine, and so it cannot be unusual. Either they have an unusual way of spending the day or a usual routine!
6. Mandatory Volunteering
So you know all those times when you volunteer to do something when someone gives you an option to partake in a task? Well, volunteering is the act of free will of someone wanting to take up something that others do not want to. Mandatory, on the other hand, refers to compulsion. How can compulsion and free will co-exist?
7. Forgotten Memories
A memory is something that you remember, and if you don’t, it is forgotten. The logic is simple, either you have a memory, or you have forgotten that episode/person.
8. Clearly Misunderstood
So, when exactly do we have misunderstandings? When things aren’t clear, right? Well, if it is clear, then why is there a misunderstanding? We know you are smiling at this one!
9. Numbing Sensation
When something touches our body, we sense it, similarly with our other sense organs that we can see, hear, touch, smell, or feel. But when a part of the body is numb, it means no matter what it touches, there will be no sensation. This is indeed amongst the widely used oxymorons.
10. Original Copy
So what do we make copies from? Originals, right? So next time you want to say original, avoid the word copy, and vice versa.
11. Upside Down
Although this oxymoron may not be entirely incorrect, it still has contradicting meanings. When something is facing upwards, then how is it down? It’s just funny that we use the word “upside” to represent something that is turned.
12. Random Logic
Hands down, this is one of those oxymorons that lets out chuckles. Logic is something that gives strong backing to a particular point. Nothing about logic is random. Things that happen randomly do not require our conscious decision making. Therefore, random logic is evidently contradictory.
13. Good Grief
People generally use this phrase as an expression followed by exclamations. Grief is never good; it is a feeling of extreme sadness and depression. Is that good? We all know the answer to this one!
14. Extremely Avergae
We use the word average, when we want to avoid extremities. For instance, when one does not perform very well, or very bad, which are two different extremes on a performance scale, we call it average. With that explanation sorted in our heads, how do we accept anything average to be an extreme?
15. Bright Night
A lot of writers end up using this oxymoron, which is surely something we couldn’t miss. The night is meant to be dark, while a day bright. This mix-up lands this phrase on our list of tickling oxymorons.
We can only imagine how fascinating a read this would be for you. Hey! Do you know of more such phrases? Leave them for us in the comment section below for the benefit of other readers, and us!
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