Wellerism

Wellerismus is the common international designation for a Sagwort, or sample saying or apologetic saying. The name goes back to the Roman figure of Sam Weller in Charles Dickens ' Pickwick Papers.

Construction

A Wellerismus usually consists of:

Example

A) " All beginnings are hard, ' said the thief, because he stole an anvil. "

This structure is not necessarily required. One could also imagine the following appearance:

B ) " The thief said, ' Every beginning is difficult ' and stole an anvil. "

This statement is neither false nor unsyntaktisch. However, referred to in a) pattern has solidified and is reflected in the majority of Wellerismen.

Effect

As in the above example, the result in Wellerismen generally identified by the classification of what is said in the context of a surprising, comical twist. The used in the initial part proverbs or sayings are their significance and especially their absoluteness claim deprived, as they form an ironic contrast to the actions of the " speaker ".