Paradoxical verbal combos…Oxymorons!

An Oxymoron is a combination of two words which are completely opposite in meaning. You've heard many of these before, probably without noticing or realising that they fall under this category.

As per ‘Oxford Talking Dictionary’ (OTD), it is ‘a rhetorical figure of speech in which markedly contradictory terms appear in conjunction so as to emphasize the statement’.

'Babylon English-English’ says: ‘Expression composed of combined contrasts’.

Here are some interesting Oxymorons in common use. These captivating 'contra-verbal combos' are sure to inspire you. The moment you comprehend, an instant and vibrant sense of astonishment runs through your nerves. Feel it!

Found missing
Resident alien
Genuine imitation
Same difference
Almost exactly
Legally drunk
Silent scream
Living dead
Small crowd
New classic
Sweet sorrow
Passive aggression
Taped live
Clearly misunderstood
Peace force
Terribly pleased
Political science
Pretty ugly
Working vacation
Exact estimate

And you know... the 'numero uno' Oxymoron is - Bloggers squander!

[Courtesy: My friend Mr. P. Senthilvelan - senthil@lincsoftware.soft.net; excerpt from a mail sent by him]