Oxymoron Day
About Oxymoron Day
When is Oxymoron Day? This holiday is always celebrated on July 13
Today is a rather inane holiday. It’s Oxymoron Day. On this July 13 Holiday, we celebrate and use contradictory terms that we use in everyday language without giving it a second thought. And we clarify the definition of oxymoron. Oxymorons are so common that we hear and speak them, yet don’t even think about the fact that when the words are used together, they don’t make sense. For example, you might say this summer weather is awfully good. Really!? Does this statement mean the weather is awful? Or, is the weather good? When describing our drive home from work, we might say the traffic was terrific. In actuality, we might be describing a long commute with traffic jams and detours.
On Oxymoron Day we raise awareness of the use of these idiosyncrasies in our daily language. Listen for them in the things you say and read. You might be amazed at how many oxymorons you hear each day. Listen for the odd and quirky way combinations of wards can be interpreted. For example can you think of more than one meaning for the term “baby sitter”? If the answer is yes, you are going to have a lot of fun celebrating and participating in Oxymoron Day.
Definition of an Oxymoron
Here’s the definition of oxymoron:
An oxymoron is a figure of speech or a combination of words when spoken or written together are incongruous, contradictory, or non-sensical. The verb form of the word is oxymoronic. the adverb form is oxymoronically.
List of Oxymorons
There are many, perhaps countless oxymorons. Here are some of them:
- Working Vacation- one of my favorites
- unbiased opinion
- Climb down
- Military Intelligence
- Senate Intelligence Committee
- Time Management – Time never stops or even slows down.
- Hospital Food – is it even edible?
- Awfully good
- Traffic is terrific.
- I hope the snow keeps up. – Then it won’t come down, right!?
- Civil War
- Holy War
- icy hot
- one-man band
- good grief – One of Charlie Brown’s favorites
- grow smaller
- deceptively honest
- found missing
- lead balloon
- pretty ugly
- same difference
- freezer burn
- wise fool
- minor crisis
….. And the list goes on, and on.
How to Celebrate and Participate in Oxymoron Day
Here are some ideas on how you can enjoy Oxymoron Day:
- If you here someone say an oxymoron, point it out to them.
- Include as many oxymorons in your speech and writing today. See if anyone notices them for what they are.
- Create or identify oxymoron.
Today's Quote
“The avoidance of taxes is the only intellectual pursuit that still carries any reward.” – – John Maynard Keyes
History and Origin of Oxymoron Day
Our research did not find the creator or the origin of this day.
There is not much information on this special day. Our research found the earliest reference to this day in 2015.
More July 13 Holidays
Here are more July 13 holidays we are sure you will enjoy:
More About Today
Flower of the Day: Ornamental Grass
Recipe of the Day: Blueberry Muffins
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