Tom Swift or More Fun With Words

The Random House Dictionary of the English Language (1st edition, 1966) defines a Tom Swifty as ... a play on words that follows an unvarying pattern and relies for its humor on a punning relationship between the way an adverb describes a speaker and at the same time refers significantly to the import of the speaker’s statement, as in “I know who turned off the lights,” Tom hinted darkly. Named after a narrative mannerism characteristic of the Tom Swift American series of adventure novels for boys.

Below are a few of my favorites:
“This is just like a fairy tale,” Tom said grimly.
“I only have diamonds, clubs and spades,” Tom said heartlessly.
“I voted against Clinton in his last election run,” Tom said dolefully.
“I need a drink,” Tom said drily.
“The prisoner escaped down a rope,” Tom said condescendingly.
“I think I broke my leg,” Tom said lamely.
"The situation is grave," Tom said cryptically.
"I don't like hot dogs," Tom said frankly.

And my favorite:

"That is remarkable," remarked Tom.


© 2008 Barry T Horst


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