Non sequitur
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A non sequitur (pronounced /ˌnɒnˈsiːkwɨtər or ˌnɒnˈsɛkwɨtər/) is a conversational and literary device, often used for comical purposes (as opposed to its use in formal logic). It is a comment which, due to its apparent lack of meaning relative to what it follows,[1] seems absurd to the point of being humorous or confusing, as in the following joke:
- Q: How many surrealists does it take to change a light bulb?
- A: Fish.
The use of non sequitur in humor can be deliberate or unintentional. Literally, the expression is Latin for "it does not follow."[2] In other literature, a non sequitur can denote an abrupt, illogical, unexpected or absurd turn of plot or dialogue not normally associated with or appropriate to that preceding it. It is a type of logical fallacy.
The non sequitur can be understood as the converse of cliché. Traditional comedy and drama can depend on the ritualization and predictability of human emotional experiences, where the Theatre of the Absurd uses disjunction and unpredictability. The New Yorker magazine is popular for their use of non sequitur one-liners in their comics.
[edit] See also
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Look up non sequitur in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. |
[edit] References
- ^ The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. Oxford University Press, 2009.
- ^ Merriam Webster's Online Dictionary. http://mw1.m-w.com/dictionary/non%20sequitur
[edit] External links
- The Comprehension of Humorous Materials by Adolescents with High-Functioning Autism and Asperger's Syndrome - "Non sequitur endings or incorrect endings that are unrelated to the content of the joke were preferred by adults with high-functioning autism"
- Getting it: human event-related brain response to jokes in good and poor comprehenders - "When asked to pick the punch-line of a joke from an array of choices, including straightforward endings, non-sequitur endings, and the correct punch-line, RHD patients erred by picking non-sequitur endings, indicating that they know surprise is necessary"
