Honk if You Hate Noise

Quote:  "IF YOU CAN READ THIS, YOU'RE TOO CLOSE."  Bumper sticker.

Figure of Speech:  autophasia (auto FAY sia), the rule that swallows itself.

Autophasia literally means "the speaking of oneself," and it's one of our favorite fallacious figures.  The only way you can understand the bumper sticker's warning is to violate it -- a perfect autophasia.

The figure makes a first-rate hypocrite detector.  President Bush flying in Air Force One so he can urge people to conserve fuel, for instance.  Or Al Gore's fat report on ways to save paper.

Snappy Answer:  "IF YOU CAN’T READ THIS, YOU'RE ILLITERATE."

Comments

[Patrick Wynne]

Wouldn't autophasia be "the speaking of oneself", with -phasia being the same root found in aphasia?

autophagia would be "the eating of oneself". Like coprophagia and others.

[Figaro]

You're right, I'm wrong. I've fixed it. Many thanks, Patrick.

Figaro

[me myself and i]

i dont understand your sit at all. who cares about wateva the hell ur trying to say anyway??? i didnt even bother to read it. i just like to dis stupid sites that make NOOOOO sence! lafs

xoxo

byee!