It's Called an Oxy, Moron!

Everyone knows what an oxymoron is, right? No, it isn't a really big dumb guy. It's a figure of speech that combines two normally contradictory words.

A classic oxymoron is a term with an inherent contradiction. Examples of this would include "awfully nice," "resident alien," "a fine mess," "new tradition," "virtual reality," or "sweet sorrow."

Over the years, however, the definition of oxymoron has evolved to include terms or phrases that aren't really oxymora at all. That is, they do not necessarily have an inherent contradiction, but are employed mostly for humorous or editorial purposes. Examples of this would be "active retirement," "Great Depression," "politically correct," "honest lawyer," "military intelligence," or even "Thank God I'm an Atheist."

Here are the current top 20 according to OxymoronList.com:

1. Microsoft Works
   
2. Healthy Tan
   
3. Jumbo Shrimp
   
4. Work Party
   
5. Dodge Ram
   
6. Virtual Reality
   
7. Tax Return
   
8. Working Vacation
   
9. Head Butt
   
10. Pretty Ugly
    
11. Peace Force
    
12. Tight Slacks
    
13. Plastic Glasses
    
14. Taped Live
    
15. Same Difference
    
16. Living Dead
    
17. Silent Scream
    
18. Personal Computer
    
19. Alone Together
    
20. Government Organization

Check out the web site and see if you can think of any that didn't make the list.

One of my all-time favorites: "Scandinavian cuisine." But I'll probably save that one for a future post.