Tom Swiftys

I love words. I love playing with words. One of my favorite forms of fun wordplay is the Tom Swifty. The name of this type of adverbial punning derives from the Edward Stratemeyer series of strip cartoons about a character named Tom Swift in the 1920's. Some examples follow:

• "I used to be a lion tamer," he said offhandedly.
• "I plan to work in a cemetery," he plotted gravely.
• "I have sinned," said Adam originally.
• "Will you marry me?" he asked engagingly.
• "Henry VIII was very fat," he said unthinkingly.
• "I've dropped my toothpaste," he said crestfallenly.
• "That's a very large shark," he said superficially.
• "Fire," he yelled alarmingly.
• "This house is tasteful," said Hansel and Gretel gingerly.
• "It is just gold leaf," he said guiltily.
• "It is my maid's night out," he said helplessly.
• "That's an ugly hippopotamus," he said hypocritically.

Add your favorites or create some original Swifties. It is fun and challenging.