The Art of Punning

The Art of Punning

Although the word 'misanthrope' can be easily applied to Swift, he did have a sense of humour, and was known as a prankster. Perhaps it was working with fellow Irishman Thomas Sheridan that bought out the best in him. The Art of Punning is primarily by Sheridan but sections II-V have been attributed to Swift. The jokes are not necessarily Irish; but most are lame: 'Where do the first Hermaphroditres come from?' A: Middlesex.

Thomas Sheridan, Ars Pun-ica, Sive Flos Linguarum: The Art of Punning. 2nd ed. [London]: Printed at Dublin in the year 1719. Reprinted at London for J. Roberts, [1720]. DeB Eb 1719 S

University of Otago Eire a Moradh - Singing the Praises of Ireland, Special Collections Exhibition from the University of Otago Library <