We are delighted to offer you writers another great word game - the masterful “Tom Swifties”. These are funny and exuberant puns that turn adverbs into punchlines. The inspiration for this word game was the title character in a series of children’s adventure books published around 1910. The authors of the books liked to use an abundance of adverbs, and often used substitutes for the word “said”.
A Tom Swifty is a play on words taking the form of a quotation ascribed to Tom and followed by an adverb. Here are some good examples:
"Oh yes, I believe that climate change is real, Tom said heatedly. “I can’t find the oranges,” said Tom fruitlessly.
A Tom Swifty can also substitute the word “said” with a word that becomes a pun:
“Come here, Bessie! It’s milking time,” Tom uttered.
We invite you to try your hand at Tom Swifties! Remember, the speaker is always Tom, and the pun is always in the adverb or the “said” substitute word.
Limit your entries to three per response so that everyone gets equal chances! Wait until others have responded to send multiple responses. We’d love to hear from as many of you as possible.
Hey folks - We hope you enjoy this new creativity challenge! This word game dates back to 1910, and was very popular in the 1950’s. Time Magazine actually ran a Tom Swifty contest in 1963, so we are in good company. Those of you who love puns will be in your element with this one!
hi Julie - apologies, this is a British reference. Enid Blyton was a British authoress writing books for children in the 1940s. However, her most famous collection of stories were the adventures of four children and a dog known as “The Famous Five”
No need to apologize, Julian. As a passionate Anglophile, I’m always eager to learn anything new that is British! I’ll have to look up Enid. Now your Swifty totally rings a bell!!
My new sculpture is finished," Tom announced, shapely.
“But it’s a bit abstract,” he admitted, formlessly.
“At least it’s still worth something,” he concluded, pricelessly.
Hey Melissa - Glad to see you back on the Voice.club writing challenge! I like your clever post above, it’s got me inspired to try myself. Now hoping to get back to writing as I have missed it due to recent life circumstances. Thanks again for your inspiration!
Hey- Chris. We’ve been in the same boat, it seems! I’ve had a rough few years. I think the world of everyone on this site. Here’s to inspiring each other!
I’m very glad to see you writing and being creative in spite of all you’re dealing with. I know you’ve had some rough years, and I’ve been thinking about you.
Writing helps me make it through the hardest times!
“My favorite words are places, people, and things,” Tom announces.
“I’m late for my exam!” Tom says, testily.
“I don’t know what I am supposed to do today,” Tom says listlessly.
