Wondering how God is calling you? Are you curious about how your job or set of relationships is really a vocation? Do you want some awesome discussions around faith in real-life and more? Think hanging out with Catholic sisters and a fun thoughtful, faith community is cool? Then you are in the right place! Welcome! Explore and be sure to visit with us every weekday at 6 pm CT in our chat room.
“The Pun Also Rises,” an earnest look at puns and civilization
Who knew that puns were crucial in the rise of modern civilization? Not me. Well, not until I heard an interview about puns on public radio the other day. The program was “Here and Now,” and the interview was with John Pollack, author of the book The Pun Also Rises: How the Pun Revolutionized Language, Changed History, and Made Wordplay More than Some Antics (source)
Pollack said that ancient punsters shaped the alphabet, which was fundamental in gathering knowledge and transmitting it over time. They did this, he said, by “translating pictograms into completely abstract symbols whose value was strictly phonetic.” Ingenious!
Despite my puny knowledge about the history of puns, I have always enjoyed them. So, if you like puns too, take a listen to the interview and give puns a try. Make a contribution to modern civilization and write your best pun in the comment box below!
* * *
Get your nun schwag! -- We've got cool nunly items including this awesome mug at 
{ 3 comments }
that interview was also on all things considered last week, max! it was what made me decide kbart and marg could out-pun this guy, a supposed champ. i was impressed with the history of puns, but not with the punster!
my best pun was just the other day. “so the rapture didn’t come! it’s not the end of the world!” i’m not certain that’s a real pun, though.
A dyslexic man walks into a bra.
“Doc, I can’t stop singing ‘The Green, Green Grass of Home.” “That sounds like Tom Jones Syndrome.” “Is it common?” “Well, It’s Not Unusual.”
My money’s on Marg and KBart too, Marla! Although you’re quick with a pun too
LOL Ernest Hemingway must be laughing in his shoos!