Behind the Words That Wink.

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Do you ever find yourself captivated by not just the the plot of the story but the language used? A truly thrilling story weaves both of these together to create the magic in details. What would language have to do with it? Isn’t it just about what the characters say or how events are described? Not quite. Language is more than just words - it’s about the play of words, their subtle meanings, and how they add depth to the narrative. That is the underlying magic of storytelling. 



Language in storytelling goes beyond just the words on a page. It's about the hidden layers in the meaning. Let's see this in action: 

The word 'irate' means highly irritated - a negative emotion. Without context, a sentence like, 'Shorts as an item of clothing make me irate.' would mean that shorts irritate the narrator. However, if we add more context like, 'I have a mild obsession that I am embarrassed to admit. Shorts as an item of clothing make me irate.'  the meaning shifts entirely. This could mean they drive the narrator crazy in a way that might be shameful - or even lustful." 



This added context reveals more about the character. It quite literally gives them 'character'. See what I just did? That would be the use of a double entendre. 

What is a double entendre now? All you want to do is read. Why are we complicating things? Why is the main character smirking when he says: "Its always hard for me to focus when I think about you." Ask yourself what is so hard that he cannot focus. The sentence is straightforward but has an underlying meaning. Context from what he has said or done before or after this statement would help understand the underlying meaning. That is the beauty of reading with understanding.


• A double entendre is a figure of speech where a phrase or word has two meanings. One is usually obvious but the second one is quite subtle and often given away through the characters actions. 


Understanding nuances such as these enhances your reading experience by making the story more enjoyable. Wordplay is fascinating to witness as it not only entertains but stimulates your mind, challenging you to think critically and understand as well as interpret deeper meaning. 


Which phrases or words can you think of that remind you of this? If you know of any authors that write in this way, please drop their names in the comment section. 


Until next time.. xoxo

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