A backward-looking twistSourced
The ending can change how the beginning is understood
A paraprosdokian ends a sentence or passage in an unexpected way that makes the listener reinterpret its earlier part. It is not merely an unrelated surprise at the end. The reversal of interpretation can create humor or satire.
The last words send the listener back to the first ones.
Summary / translation: Unbubly · CC BY-SA 4.0
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Paraprosdokian · Wikimedia contributors
Adapted, summarized and translated from the source. Adapted text is also available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Reviewed: 2026-10-05