chiasmus

1. (rhetorical figure): A reversing of the order of words in corresponding pairs of phrases.

leges supplicio improbos afficiunt, defendunt ac tuentur bonos (Cicero, De Legibus, ii. 13)

The laws VISIT PUNISHMENTS upon the wicked, but the good they DEFEND and PROTECT.

by mihailoff February 21, 2005

litotes

1. The affirming of a thing by denying its contrary.

His philology is not irresponsible.

Her statement is not inaccurate.

by mihailoff February 21, 2005

brachylogy

1. Brevity of expression.

If I didn't know her, I would say that her phrasal brachylogy made her seem rather like an ass clown

by mihailoff February 21, 2005

meden agan

1. Ancient Greek for "Nothing in excess."

The words 'meden agan' are written on the temple at Delphi.

by mihailoff February 21, 2005

double bag it

To use two condoms at once.

John paused and remarked, "I bet she's got a cabbage patch snatch, you'd better double bag it."

by mihailoff February 21, 2005

sine qua non

1. What is necessary

A shocker is the sina qua non for John to emit his yoghurt truck

by mihailoff February 21, 2005

anaphora

1. (Rhetorical Figure) The repetition of a word at the beginning of successive clauses.

rerum copia verborum copiam gignit (Cicero, De Oratoribus, iii. 125)

ABUNDANCE of matter produces ABUNDANCE of expression.

by mihailoff February 21, 2005