wit

=WIT=

In modern usage wit is intellectually amusing language that surprises and delights. A witty statement is humorous, while suggesting the speaker’s verbal power in creating ingenious and perceptive remarks. Wit usually uses terse (abruptly concise) language that makes a pointed statement. Historically, wit originally meant basic understanding. Is meaning evolved to include speed of understanding, and finally, it grew perception including creative fancy and a quick tongue to articulate and answer that demanded the same quick perception.

Pronunciation Guide: **wit** media type="file" key="pronunciation.wav" (Source A)

A fantastic example of wit includes the works of Mark Twain. Twain would spend vast amounts of time, searching for the right words, he said "The difference between the right word and the almost-right word is the difference between the lightning and the lightning-bug." (Source B)

Some fine examples of wit:

(Source C)
 * "I am the entire human race compacted together. I have found that there is no ingredient of the race which I do not possess in either a small way or a large way." (Source B)
 * These sentences are very amusing, they incorporate high levels of sophistication and class, but are simple enough for the point to be understood.
 * "The holy passion of Friendship is of so sweet and steady and loyal and enduring a nature that it will last through a whole lifetime, if not asked to lend money." (Source B)


 * Source A: "http://www.merriam-webster.com - Merriam-Webster Pronunciation." Merriam-Webster Online. 2007. Merriam-Webster. 26 Sep 2007 <[|http://www.merriam-webster.com/cgi-bin/audio.pl?wit00001.wav=wit>.]
 * Source B: "The Quotable Mark Twain." Salwen Business Communications. Salwen Business Communications. 28 Sep 2007 <[|http://salwen.com/mtquotes.html>.]
 * Source C: "The Nevada Observer: Nevada History Reading Room." The Nevada Observer. 27 Sep 2007 <[|http://www.nevadaobserver.com/ReadingRoom.htm>.]

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