The Pun Also Rises: A Defense of the Pun

    Listen

    Hour 2

    Are you a punster?  Do you appreciate a good pun or do they simply make you groan?  Well, today we’re paying homage to beloved and sometimes reviled pun and the important role it’s played in our language, culture – even in our politics.  Our guest, former presidential speechwriter (under Bill Clinton) and world pun champion JOHN POLLACK has written a defense of puns.  This hour, Marty talks to Pollack about his book, The Pun Also Rises: How the Humble Pun Revolutionized Language, Changed History, and Made Wordplay More Than Some Antics.

    Listen to the mp3

    Listen:
    [audio: 051111_110630.mp3]

    WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.

    Want a digest of WHYY’s programs, events & stories? Sign up for our weekly newsletter.

    Together we can reach 100% of WHYY’s fiscal year goal