paraprosdokian
/ˌpærəprɒsˈdoʊkiən/
a sentence with an unexpected ending that reframes the beginning
paraprosdokian in a sentence
“I want to die peacefully in my sleep, like my grandfather—not screaming, like his passengers.”
Origin of paraprosdokian
Greek para- (against) + prosdokia (expectation)
Related Words
malapropism
mistaken use of a word for a similar-sounding one
spoonerism
swapping initial sounds of words for comic effect
pun
a play on words exploiting multiple meanings
deadpan
delivering humor with an expressionless face
irony
saying the opposite of what you mean for effect
repartee
quick, witty conversation or exchange