Copyright © 2021 Literary Devices. My sponsor is Smart Paper. The Sierra Club accepts no obligation to review every posting, but reserves the right (but not the obligation) to delete postings that may be considered offensive, illegal or inappropriate. Guess again. Without the commitment of men, the NFL, NASCAR, breweries, pornography, bass-fishing equipment suppliers, and various other industries would be out of business. Oxymoron is an effective literary device. Q: What are you proudest of in your racing career? A: I’d never been to Congress or really spent time in D.C. A: I don't know if conservation is something that lends itself to being proud. An oxymoron is a phrase or sentence that uses words that normally wouldn't seem to go together, sometimes to make a point. If something is original, then it is not a copy. Liberal elite, also referred to as the metropolitan elite or Progressive elite, is a stereotype of politically liberal people whose education had traditionally opened the doors to affluence and power and who form a managerial elite.It is commonly invoked pejoratively, with the implication that the people who claim to support the rights of the working class are themselves members of the ruling classes and are … Q: As a conservationist, what are you proudest of? A passionate ambassador for the National Wildlife Federation, she has lobbied Congress to pass the Climate Security Act, makes frequent appearances to educate fans about going green, and buys an acre of rainforest … Guess again. NASCAR comes to you and says, “Brad, we’re bringing a celebrity to the track and we’d love for you to host them.” ... That’s an oxymoron, because I don’t think rap is good. We’re getting a solar water heater, we’re big recyclers, we unplug, we just do what we can to make our impact as little as possible. One example of a skillful oxymoron is real fake. An oxymoron is a figure of speech. In this poem, Auden utilizes the oxymoron “juicy bone.” Of course, a bone is generally considered dry and the opposite of juicy. “I was wondering after seeing that NASCAR picture in the latest post. It can be the difference between winning and losing the Daytona 500 to be fuel-efficient. The best way to make money is to spend money. Being "sensitive" toward another driver while racing is not exactly conducive to winning a competition. Here are some examples of oxymoron phrases in well-known literary works, along with how they add to interpretation: Good night, good night! … var title = 'Trendsetter: The NASCAR Environmentalist'; } You cannot have one without the other. But if a company doesn't want to work with me because I talk about the environment, those aren't people I want on my car anyway. However, a bone may seem juicy to a dog that is salivating at the thought of chewing it. I was horrified when I found out that I was biting into the side of a cow. Securing … It is an oxymoron to think, say, or claim that “banks create money out of nothing, or thin air” by simple … The phrase “terrific liar” pairs two words that have opposing connotations. Did You Know? Q: How do people in the racing world respond to environmental advocacy? One example of a paradox is the following conflicting idea. She took time out of her high-speed schedule to chat with Sierra. Oxymoron phrases can be figuratively true, but not literally true. title = title.substr(0, (limit - 3)) + '...'; Life loses much of its meaning and excitement … var link = 'http://twitter.com/home?status=' + encodeURIComponent(title + ' ' + url); For example, if a character receives a painful smile, this creates a significant dramatic effect. "But in some instances, a single word is all it takes. How likely do you think that is? PREVIOUS 2 / 5 NEXT Published 25 Jan 2017, 08:18 IST Q: How do you reconcile your car-racing with your environmentalism? An oxymoron (usual plural oxymorons, more rarely oxymora) is a rhetorical device that uses an ostensible self-contradiction to illustrate a rhetorical point or to reveal a paradox. The word combines two of the five taste sensations, the others being … - Unknown "It is better to be a coward for a minute than to be dead for the rest of your life." It is also comedic in terms of behavior, both in terms of a man acting like a child or a child behaving like a man. Therefore, the language itself is not literal, but figurative. Through the phrase “terrific liar,” Holden is admitting that he is both a deceptive person and that he’s extraordinarily great at being so. I don’t think it’s my right to take life. And that methane is 21 times more heat-trapping than carbon dioxide, and that it lasts in the atmosphere much longer. However, “liar” has negative connotations, as in someone who is untruthful or deceptive. From 2015 onward, new posts will appear only here: However, if there is no figurative or underlying meaning to the phrase, it shouldn’t be used as a proper oxymoron. I wouldn't have a platform to reach 100 million people. Spec racing tends to promote drivers (as heroes, celebrities, product endorsers); non-spec series tend to … When word gets out, there should be plenty of victimised bowlers touching down to involve themselves in the protest. Smiles are rarely associated with pain. Therefore, the linguistic skill demonstrated in this oxymoron is a layered. A 2014 Nielsen report published in The Atlantic shows that NASCAR’s viewership skews 94 percent white and 63 percent male, giving NASCAR the least racially diverse television viewership of all major sports. An oxymoron is a rhetorical device in which seemingly contradictory or incongruous terms appear in conjunction with each other. When we learn about oxymorons, bittersweet is often one of the first words given as an example. Together, these words indicate that Holden takes pride in how adept he is at lying–a behavior that is generally associated with indignity. She's never followed the rules, instead chooses to live her … Leilani Muenter, 33, one of Sports Illustrated's top-ten female race car drivers, is an unabashed eco-warrior. A: I'm not going to apologize for liking fast cars. When I first started talking about it, people told me I was committing career suicide, that I would push away sponsors. It was so traumatic that I can remember it like it was yesterday. Oxymoron can enhance drama in writing. Example of Oxymoron: 1. jumbo shrimp By definition, the word “shrimp” refers to something very small. It is an oxymoron! Stewart angrily shook his fist at Bowyer and then turned … These are 100 million people that environmentalists need to talk to in order to get movement.There’s constant innovation happening in racing. - Tom Bergeron (America's Funniest Home Videos) For example, if a character is described as a man child, this oxymoron calls up a humorous image of a child that looks like a man or vice-versa. If Holden’s claim is that he is wonderful at being an untruthful person, then he casts doubt as to the truth of his own statement to the reader about being a terrific liar as well. So my question is an oxymoron. #NASCARonFOX#NASCAR#BubbaWallace#RichardPetty#Geico500 … Continue … It’s a small population but they’re out there. With good, and bad, and worse, alike prolific, Too much of one sort would be soporific;–. Oxymoron is a figure of speech pairing two words together that are opposing and/or contradictory. What is oxymoron? There are a lot of Blacks who fear the topic on race too. When we were shopping for a house, we agreed that we didn’t want to move anywhere that wasn’t energy-efficient, with solar lighting, a composter, a vegetable garden, and so on. “Some people saw NASCAR and green as an oxymoron," says Lynch. These word pairings are not inherently opposite, but their individual concepts can seem contradictory when combined. Are you – Nobody – too?” (, “Cruel kindness drew me near and held me close” (InsideOut song, “Ordinary riches can be stolen; real riches cannot.” (, “Vidia was complicated, two fairies in one, a loyal traitor.” (Gail Carson Levine). I qualified fifth, even though I ended up in a wreck. His ally was Mussolini who was a Fascist. NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour team owner David Hill said Sunday morning that he was sorry for placing a post on Facebook late Saturday night that included a racial slur and veiled threat directed at reigning Whelen Modified Tour champion Ryan Preece. The “juicy bone” is a contrast in its own phrasing, as well as a contrasting image with the coffin and the implied corpse’s bones inside. But I am proud of my finish at Texas, and of how I did when I ran in the Indy Lite race. Therefore, the reader is left in some suspense to wonder what events or feelings would result in such a response received by the character. Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come. All people have to do is make the connection between what’s on their plate and the environment.Q: Do you know any other race car drivers who are vegetarian? Has there been any word on what happens to NASCAR funding? Instead, it takes linguistic skill in knowing which words, though opposing, will work together to have an effect on the reader. ... and neighborhoods. Q: Last year you spoke to Congress about climate issues. It earned me respect from the higher-ups in my sport. When I got out of the car, I drank the water from my exhaust pipe to show how clean it was. This is especially achieved if the word pairing reveals intensity or a great difference in quality. They could use it as a testing ground for new green technologies. But let’s speculate, this is, after all, an opinion column. However, with applied thought, paradoxes make sense. Think the term "NASCAR environmentalist" is an oxymoron? As a literary device, oxymoron has the effect of creating an impression, enhancing a concept, and even entertaining the reader. If Americans alone were to cut back their meat consumption 10 percent, it would free up enough land for us to grow grain for all the hungry kids in the world. The term is first recorded as Latinized Greek oxymōrum, in Maurus Servius Honoratus (c. AD 400); it is derived … insertListLink('Huge List of Oxymoron Examples', 1, 2, 'endfirsth2'). We’re in different bodies but we’re all sharing the same earth. If I stop racing, there'll be someone else in that seat. Reading these words together will often cause a reader to pause and think about what the writer is trying to convey. ... (By the way “prototype spec” racing is an oxymoron.) A: I use my race car to reach out to fans on environmental issues. 8. Who has the most punchable face in NASCAR? var url = 'https://blogs.sierraclub.org/greenlife/2009/09/the-nascar-environmentalist.html'; "Marriage is not a word but a sentence." ... just let me make sure you understand, this whole thing is an oxymoron from our standpoint," Lynch recalled. Here are some well-known and recognizable examples of this figure of speech: People are often confused by the difference between oxymoron and paradox. Now I always talk about how the meat industry emits more greenhouse gas than the whole transportation industry combined. A: It's been very positive lately. http://www.sierraclub.org/greenlife, « Shutting the Tap on a Wasteful Problem | Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone. This means that oxymoron is a figure of speech that includes just a couple of contradictory words that are paired together rather than a full statement of ideas. Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone. ... Synopsis: Faith - How do we define "scandalous"?Faith-her name in itself is an oxymoron to her belief system. Here are some examples of oxymoron that may be found in everyday expression: insertListLink('Huge List of Oxymoron Examples', 2, 2, 'shortexamples'). - Contact Us - Privacy Policy - Terms and Conditions, Definition and Examples of Literary Terms, Little Bighorn Battlefield (national monument in Montana), “CatDog” (American animated television series), “Big Little Lies” (book by Liane Moriarty, adapted into television series for HBO), “Quotes from a Devout Atheist” (compilation book of Richard Dawkins quotes), “Waking Dream” (American documentary film), “You can’t have more types of fake news than real news.” (Elon Musk), “I’m nobody! I didn’t realize what meat was, and then she explained it to me. That’s where a lot of the changes are going to take place – in D.C.Q: How can auto racing – and its fans – go green? If I can highlight the small things we can do, like recycling or eating less meat, those small changes multiplied by millions of race fans could make a gigantic difference. The phrase original copy is a good illustration of an oxymoron. Is it now NASCAR’s turn to move towards a more eco-friendly type of racing or are the recently announced “Massive” changes coming to the sport economically driven? Men are clearly capable of commitment! How is it making green work? All Rights Reserved. A: When I was 6, my mom went vegetarian, and then the whole house did. Did You Know? The whole circus started early in the race when rookie Clint Bowyer moved up the track on lap 31, squeezing Tony Stewart into the wall. Preece, of Berlin, was at Langley Speedway in Hampton, Va. Saturday night competing in the NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour Wallace was moved to tears by the show of support. She feels sadness knowing she must say good night to Romeo. Oxymoron can also serve as a means of elevated language when used to express a sense of irony. “Son of man set your face against Gog, and the land of Magog, the Chief Prince of Meshek and Tubal; prophesy against him and say, This is what the Sovereign Lord says, I am against you, Gog chief prince of Meshek and Tubal. These all desperately need leadership, and leadership without commitment is but an oxymoron. Let’s get this one out of the way. An oxymoron is a phrase that seems to use contradictory terms to express a particular thought or sentiment. Consistency and NASCAR - that’s a great definition for an oxymoron if I ever saw one. I view such as an oxymoron, thereby her writing as moronic. So I love everybody here, no matter what race they are. It is contradictory. var limit = 140 - (url.length + 1); The Coke of soda. It can be the difference between millions and millions of dollars. The missing black flag is no longer missing, and was used not just once but twice in the Pocono 500 from Pocono Raceway last weekend. This statement made by Holden reveals the level of complexity and impact an oxymoron can have as a literary device when it comes to interpretation. A passionate ambassador for the National Wildlife Federation, she has lobbied Congress to pass the Climate Security Act, makes frequent appearances to educate fans about going green, and buys an acre of rainforest for every race she runs. “27-year-old Daniels never envisioned a career in NASCAR racing, much less as a pit crew member. I’m mainly talking about GM and Chrysler since they are closest to death and cutting EVERYTHING. Here are instances in which it’s effective to use oxymoron in writing: Since most people don’t use oxymoron very often when speaking, it does take linguistic skill to create one that is successful. This combination of contrary or antithetical words is also known in conversation as a contradiction in terms. Gonzo definition is - of, relating to, or being a style of journalism marked by a lack of objectivity due to the writer's immersion in the subject and often participation in the activity being documented. That’s a hell of a big question and not one easily answered. I want a light bulb on the hood of my car. Think the term "NASCAR environmentalist" is an oxymoron? See more. "What was great about it," he said, remembering the moment, "was that it was the first time … With her mother dead from an overdose and a birth certificate reflecting a father "unknown", she is constantly reminded that she's all alone. Salinger uses an oxymoron in this quote by Holden Caulfield, the narrator of the novel. I’m the most terrific liar you ever saw in your life. Too many uses of oxymoron can be either distracting or tedious for the reader. Leilani Muenter, 33, one of Sports Illustrated's top-ten female race car drivers, is an unabashed eco-warrior. "The sport itself burns a fossil fuel to put on the show.” And it took a high tolerance for risk. However, she lovingly anticipates seeing him again which is a pleasant feeling. I’ve heard of a couple others. In perhaps the most well-known oxymoron in literature, Juliet describes her feelings about Romeo leaving her presence as “sweet sorrow.” Shakespeare’s use of oxymoron indicates that Juliet’s “sorrow” and sadness at the thought that Romeo must part from her is also “sweet” and pleasant. Overall, as a literary device, oxymoron functions as a means of getting the reader’s attention through the pairing of opposing or contradictory words. The question is, “Is the term or the notion of a right-wing Christian an oxymoron, either literally or essentially?” Put in another way, is saying the term right-wing Christian tantamount to saying something like “gay Nascar?” Alright, alright, give me a break! I was taking the next step with my activism, taking it to the political level to make it law, to make corporations liable. Therefore, Salinger cleverly calls into question Holden’s reliability as a narrator through just this figure of speech. if(title.length > limit) { Also, this oxymoron is ironic in the context of a poem in which a funeral is the subject. A: One other, who wrote to me to ask about racing shoes that weren’t made of leather. How Can I Save Fuel on Summer Vacation Trips. When we think of oxymorons, we often think of two-word phrases with seemingly opposite components, like "alone together" or "sweet sorrow. parting is such sweet sorrow. You know: when a word or brand name that means something specific becomes the generic term for that thing. This figure of speech is clever in that utilizing the word “real” to describe something that is “fake” actually lends a sense of truth and authenticity to something that is, by nature, untrue and inauthentic. You have NASCAR, we have the NBA. Oxymoron is made up of two words that are Greek to me. A: The fact that I’m using my voice in the sport to emphasize that are things that are important outside the car. The Sierra Club does not endorse or guarantee the accuracy of any posting. There can’t be a best rapper if I don’t think it’s good. Main - Jack Woodford "See Spot. Ha, ha, ha. To describe a shrimp as “jumbo” seems contradictory. Paradox is a literary device in which a statement or group of statements features initially contrasting ideas. This oxymoron is symbolic of the human condition as reflected in the poet’s mention of “our human lot.” In addition, this oxymoron supports and complements the balance of oppositions featured in the rest of the poem’s structure, such as good and bad, without or with, and friends or foes. However, the terms are also complementary as a pair. If “NASCAR” and "diversity" sound like an oxymoron to you, it’s not without reason. How to use acronym in a sentence. | Ten Honored by the Heinz Awards ». Oxymoron definition is - a combination of contradictory or incongruous words (such as cruel kindness); broadly : something (such as a concept) that is made up of contradictory or incongruous elements. That I shall say good night till it be morrow. NASCAR is a 63-year-old, family-run, privately held company that governs America's No.1 spectator sport -- a showcase for fast cars zooming around racetracks. For me, it was exciting to see this whole other side of the environmental movement. When I get out of my car, I want to be able to say if each one of the 100,000 Daytona fans here today were to make the switch, this would be the impact. Oxymoron can be an excellent tool in creating humor for a reader. An oxymoron is an expression that combines contradictory words — for example, "deafening silence." If “NASCAR” and “diversity” sound like an oxymoron to you, it’s not without reason. As the country continues to become more and more diverse, NASCAR is working to do the same. ... (I always capitalize the word because of MY respect for them), the way he calls a person by their name and his intelligence … Civil religion, also referred to as a civic religion, is the implicit religious values of a nation, as expressed through public rituals, symbols (such as the national flag), and ceremonies on sacred days and at sacred places (such as monuments, battlefields, or national cemeteries).It is distinct from churches, although church officials and ceremonies are sometimes incorporated into the practice of civil religion. For example, just pairing any two words that are contradictory won’t make for an effective oxymoron. "Sensitivity training" by "NASCAR" is humorous. in Entertainment, Recycling, Sports, Transportation Of course there are gay folks who enjoy and even participate in that predominantly red-neck, macho sport, but you get my point, right? However, it’s important that writers don’t overuse oxymoron as a literary device. How to use oxymoron in a sentence. IP video is the opposite of closed circuit, hard-wired analog technology. Ezekiel 38 says: The Word of the Lord came to me. Real fake is a combination of contradictory terms. Q: How else do you live green? “Terrific” has positive connotations, as in wonderful or extraordinarily great. Oxymoron is also a literary device, but is considered a “condensed” paradox. A more general meaning of "contradiction in terms" (not necessarily for rhetoric effect) is recorded by the OED for 1902.. NASCAR on FOX A day after a noose was found in the garage stall of Bubba Wallace, NASCAR’s only full-time African-American driver, all of NASCAR’s drivers as well as legend Richard Petty stood in solidarity with Wallace ahead of the Geico 500 at Talladega. Their dramatic effect is much more powerful with sparing use. Once again the manufacturers seem to be pushing an agenda in the United States. But did you know that the word "oxymoron" is an oxymoron itself? I was at a Wendy’s with my mom. - Irish proverb "Boy meets girl; girl gets boy into pickle; boy gets pickle into girl." How to use gonzo in a sentence. I have a much bigger voice because of it. Not Your Grandparents’ Road Trip: 5 Green Reasons to Visit National Parks. The phrase daily night certainly features contrary wording. I need their support or else I can’t do it. Forget about the rest of the motor … The definition of fascism is the control of industry by the government. A: My husband and I bought an Energy Star-certified house. It is like Oreo cookies, or a ying yang sign. Here are some examples of oxymoron that may be found in everyday writing or conversation: Think you haven’t heard of any famous oxymorons? Acronym definition is - a word (such as NATO, radar, or laser) formed from the initial letter or letters of each of the successive parts or major parts of a compound term; also : an abbreviation (such as FBI) formed from initial letters : initialism. I was in Norway at the zero-emissions Viking Rally driving a hydrogen fuel cell Ford Focus. But ultimately, this is bad news for men. How can something so small be called “jumbo?” This is an oxymoron. My role is that I can speak to a large group of people. Without, or with, offence to friends or foes. For example, oxymoron phrases such as marital bliss, military intelligence, and business ethics, depending on how they are used as figures of speech, can be effective literary devices to indicate irony. A World of Oxymorons Posted on June 1, 2018 by David Robinson Judge Anna von Reitz The most prevalent oxymoron I run into is “sovereign citizen” which is an impossibility and contradiction because one cannot be both at the same time. Yet, original copy as an oxymoron commonly and figuratively means that the content of the copy is original. In this poem, Lord Byron uses the oxymoron “melancholy merriment” to describe the feelings and connections between sadness and joy. These figures of speech can enhance a reader’s understanding of a concept, interpretation of a phrase, or enjoyment of language. Posted by The Sierra Club at 12:00:00 PM In turn, if something is a copy, then it is not original. But I can’t do it until corporate America says yes, this makes sense. Who are you? This is a pairing of opposing words that contradict each other. See Spot trip and fall." Overall, as a literary device, oxymoron functions as a means of getting the … See Spot run. The word Nazi was derived from the term National Socialist from the German. document.write('Tweet This!'); User comments or postings reflect the opinions of the responsible contributor only, and do not reflect the viewpoint of the Sierra Club. What was that like? Acronym definition, a word formed from the initial letters or groups of letters of words in a set phrase or series of words and pronounced as a separate word, as Wac from Women's Army Corps,OPEC from Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, or loran from long-range navigation. … The word oxymoron is an oxymoron; ‘oxy’ comes from the Greek word that means ‘sharp’, while ‘moron’ comes from the Greek word that means ‘dull’.] [An oxymoron is a term for a figure of speech made up of two or more words that seem to be opposite to each other or are actually opposite. Also, they often lead the reader to an underlying truth. Writing Oxymoron. (Civil War) You had the Egyptians, then you had the Romans. I regularly hear and read the word ‘CCTV’ being used when talking about digital video surveillance, as if CCTV is the Kleenex of tissues.