Metalepsis

//__Metalepsis __//


 * Definition:: **A reference to a figure of speech that replaces a word in a common phrase with that of another.


 * Origin:: ** Greek


 * See also:: **[|Metonymy], [|Catachresis]

Definition taken from (dictionary.com).


 * Examples ** from text:

1) In //Doctor Horrible’s Sing Along Blog//, Billy (Doctor Horrible) is talking to his friend, Penny, at the Laundromat. She tells him that Captain Hammer will be stopping by to meet Billy, unaware that Captain Hammer is Billy’s (Doctor Horrible’s) arch-nemesis. In an attempt to escape, Doctor Horrible says, “Goodness! Look at my wrist! I have to go!”
 * The word, “wrist”, was used in place of the word, “time”, in the figure of speech, “Goodness! Look at the time!” This is an expression used to indicate that one is late and must leave. The alteration of the original saying was used to stress Doctor Horrible’s desperation to escape and also to add humor.

2) In the children's book, //The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales//, the hare challenges the tortoise to a race, as he says his hair can grow faster than the tortoise can run. To start the race, an owl says, "On your mark. Get set. Grow!"
 * The word "Grow" was used in place of the word, "Go", in the phrase, "On your mark. Get set. Go!" This phrase is typically used to begin a race. However, the hare was not competing by running, but by growing his hair. Therefore, "Grow" was used instead and to add humor.

3) In the web-series, //The Guild//, Codex states, "My therapist broke up with me.", since Codex refuses to work on her addiction to computer games.
 * The word "therapist" was used instead of the word "boyfriend/girlfriend". The phrase "My boyfriend/girlfriend broke up with me" is commonly used to describe when someone's partner has ended their romantic relationship. However, Codex applies the phrase, while inserting therapist, to explain how her therapist is no longer willing to work her, and therefore no longer willing to meet with her.

(CG)