Spoonerism

 Today I got this interesting topic to discuss. I got to see this in a reel and thought it would be nice if I could discuss it here too. How many of you like 'Crazy Mohan's' dialogues? Of course, who would not like his style of writings. Crazy mohan, is how he is very lovably called in Tamil cinema, is a well known dialogue writer, comedian and a screenwriter. He initially stepped into this creative field by writing and being as a part of plays. He is best know for his humourous style of writings. Those comedies very much add to the film and that actually had a separate fan base and set an example that was also used later. Even now when we look back at those comedy scenes, without fail they evoke and bring out laughter. 

And today I got to  know one of a style that he followed, which was actually a humourous style which was done by mismatching the first letters of the word. For instance, if you want to say good morning but accidentally say mood gorning or nice day as dice nay ,that is when you misplace the first letters, then you get that style correctly.  

In simple understanding, an example like saying,

"Entha kathulayum fan illa" instead of "entha fanlayum kathu illa". Meaning that none of the fans are speed enough. Something like this. 

This style is called as "spoonerism" and was initially found or can say followed by Rev. William Archibald spooner after which the term 'Spoonerism'  was coined. He is well known for his verbal swaps. Our brain usually processes words that we utter. And our brain doesn't process words one by one instead it starts producing chain of words and when there is this brain overtaking with speed than of usual one , this kind of misplace or spoonerism happens. Like 'dear queen' will become 'queer dean' in a sentence. There are possibilities for already uttered words to interfere in the present one. The quick thinking is a reason for this style. It is said that this is not of intentionallity instead the speaker when in nervous situation or is distressed, is likely to make such errors. This slip of the tongue is turned into a humorous, laugh creating element and later was followed as comical style. 

Best example, which will make it easy is , have you watched this scene from Anniyan movie, a Tamil movie directed by Shankar, where actor Prakash Raj , who happens to be the police officer along with his assistant Vivek goes for investigation of the third murder done by Vikram who is the protagonist , an anti- hero, and he claims it not to be a murder instead a punishment. A very interesting movie to say. In that scene, both the officers search for a name board on which Vikram writes the name for that type of punishment. At that time, Vivek say "ithu etho bodai oda kaard chi kadai oda board" meaning this is some shop's board. Those words 'board' and 'shop' in tamil are misplaced with the beginnings which makes that serious situation bringing in a comedy. 

This style was one of a style in dialogues, which was Crazy Mohan's favourite and that he tactfully used in possible situations, through the dialogues of the film. It was used later by comedians like vadivel, Vivek , santhanam, who are renowned comedians of Tamil cinema. 

A nice and interesting style right! 

Tell me how many of you have done this type of misplacing while you speak. It's not misplacing, it means that we are quick thinkers it seems. 

(Credits to this Instagram page  "cinemozhi" who shared this information.)  

I don't know whether I am allowed to mention the channel name but I wanted to genuinely give credits to this page for wonderful cinema insights. Try watching that reel in this page for clear understanding. 

This style not only gives emphasis to humour but also stays as a lesson that is to give attention to words and necessary pauses in the speech. It is necessary to watch out our words carefully. Occasionally, this can look like satire, pun or even wordplay and can create a humourous situation, but when it occurs frequently, its when we need to analyse and understand the words processed in our minds.