Aphorismus Examples

Aphorismus is when the text questions the way that a word is used. Essentially, aphorismus questions how someone, something, or a situation is described in words in the text. Sometimes, a rhetorical question is used as aphorismus.

You ran from a kitten? How can you call yourself a man?

Is that what you kids are calling music these days?

So, this low-fat, wheat-filled round thing passes for a donut?

The company calls it an accident, but the victim's family is not so sure.

Examples of Aphorismus in Literature and Speech

From Richard II by Shakespeare:

For you have but mistook me all this while.

I live with bread like you, feel want,

Taste grief, need friends: subjected thus,

How can you say to me I am a king?

When President Bill Clinton was questioned about an event, he evaded a reply by stating the following:

"It depends on the what the meaning of the word "is" is..."