Hyperbole

Encyclopedia : H : HY : HYP : Hyperbole

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This article is about a figure of speech, not to be confused with the mathematical term hyperbola.

Hype redirects here. For the popular urban music video director, see Hype Williams.

Definition

Largely synonymous with exaggeration and overconsulting, hyperbole is a figure of speech in which statements are exaggerated or extravagant. It may be used due to strong feelings or is used to create a strong impression and is not meant to be taken literally. It gives greater emphasis. It is often used in poetry and is a literary device.

• "I nearly died laughing."
• "He is as big as a house!"
• "I heard that a million times."
• "She had a zit the size of Texas!"
• "That's the worst idea I've ever heard."
• "You are the ugliest person in the world!"
• "This book weighs a ton."
• "This is the worst film ever made."
• "I'm so hungry I could eat a horse."

The antonym to hyperbole is understatement or meiosis (figure of speech).

In show business, hyperbole (known as hype or media hype) is the practice of spending money on public relations in an attempt to bolster public interest in (for example) a movie, television show, or performing artist. Often the entertainment value of the thing being hyped is exaggerated.

A common mis-pronunciation is /ˈhaɪpɚˌboʊl/ ("HY-per-bowl"). This was seen in action in the song "These Words" by Natasha Bedingfield. The correct pronunciation is phonetically said as /haɪˈpɝbəli/ ("hy-PER-buh-lee").

The modern slang term hype, in its usage as meaning extravagant publicity, is derived from the word hyperbole. An early example of the use of this slang term is in the 1988 song "Don't Believe the Hype" by the hip hop group Public Enemy.

Language change through hyperbole

• In Latin: manducare, which originally meant "to eat like the greedy comedy character Manducus", was used so often in Vulgar Latin as slang for ordinary eating that it evolved into French manger and Italian mangiare, which merely mean "to eat".

See also

• Irony
• Metaphor
• Simile
• Quote whore
• Technology hype
• Zillion
• Media hype

External link

• [A Glossary of Rhetorical Terms with Examples]

 

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