What is it called when you change a well known quote to suit your subject?

Question

For example, for the original quote we shall use, "One swallow does not a summer make". If someone were to say "One good quote does not a philosopher make" (No dig at Aristotle intended...), or "A fancy suit does not a businessman make".

Essentially, a clear allusion to a quote, but not the quote itself.

Thanks all. I was thinking "paraphrasing", but I felt like paraphrasing was essentially shortening a quote to get the original point across in less/simpler words, while keeping the meaning and context the same. Thank you for the definitions to clarify my understanding. — insidious_elk, Dec 09 '15 at 17:27

score 16 · Accepted Answer · edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:38

16

The word I've heard used for this on the linguistics blog Language Log is snowclone (it's derived from phrases of the format "If Eskimos have N words for snow, X surely have Y words for Z.")

Here's a Language Log post that describes the moment the word was coined and that links to some examples: Snowclones: Lexicographical Dating to the Second

And here's how it's defined by Collins Dictionaries online:

a verbal formula that is adapted for reuse by changing only a few words so that the allusion to the original phrase remains clear

You might also be interested in looking at the answers to the following questions:

edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:38

Community

1

answered Dec 09 '15 at 17:22

herisson

81,803

Interesting, is it just a noun or also a verb? – Dec 09 '15 at 17:30
The mother of all neologisms. The new crash blossom. – choster Dec 09 '15 at 17:30
Thanks for this. Some fascinating reading here and I'll definitely be using the word "snowclone" in general conversation. – insidious_elk Dec 09 '15 at 17:32
@Josh61: I've only seen it used as a noun. – herisson Dec 09 '15 at 17:33
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@sumelic All nouns can be verbed. :) – Kevin Krumwiede Dec 10 '15 at 05:19

score 11 · Answer 2 · edited Jun 15 '20 at 07:40

11

I think you are looking for 'to paraphrase':

The adaptation or alteration of a text or quotation to serve a different purpose from that of the original.

(AHD)

edited Jun 15 '20 at 07:40

Community

1

answered Dec 09 '15 at 17:22

score 1 · Answer 3 · answered Dec 10 '15 at 01:19

1

"Paraphrasing" was already offered, so I'll suggest something more colorful like "hijacking" or "co-opting".

answered Dec 10 '15 at 01:19

guessed5068

19

To "reword" or to "bastardise" are also available. – joeytwiddle Dec 10 '15 at 05:50

What is it called when you change a well known quote to suit your subject?

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