ox-y-mor-on-i-ca (OK-se-mor-ON-uh-ca)
noun
Any variety of tantalizing, self-contradictory statements or observations
that on the surface appear false or illogical,
but at a deeper level are true, often profoundly true.
I find great truth in paradox.
Mardy Grothe does, too. He has spent many years compiling somewhere between eight and ten thousand oxymoronic quotes, and he's chosen his favorite 1400 for this book.
Grothe divides up his favorites into categories: Wit & Humor; Sex, Love, and Romance; Political Oxymoronica; Oxymoronica on Stage and Screen; Artistic Oxymoronica; Oxymoronic Insults; Oxymoronic Advice; Literary Oxymoronica; and much more.
Here are some of my favorites about the meaning of life:
･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ.
"Life is full of misery, loneliness, and suffering---
and it's all over much too soon."
---Woody Allen
･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ.
"Life is easier than you'd think:
all that is necessary is to accept the impossible,
do without the indispensable,
and bear the intolerable."
---Kathleen Norris
･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ.
And here are a few favorites about words, all from William Safire:
･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ.
"Never use a long word when a diminutive one will suffice."
･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ.
"If I've told you once, I've told you a thousand times: Resist hyperbole."
･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ.
"Eschew obfuscation."
･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ.
"Avoid awkward or affected alliteration."
･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ.
"Last, but not least, avoid clichés like the plague."'
･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ.
Do you have any favorite oxymoronica?
Wondrous Words Wednesday is a weekly meme where you can share new words that you’ve encountered, or spotlight words you love. Feel free to get creative! It was first created by Kathy over at Bermuda Onion and is now hosted at Elza Reads.
