single entendre

English

Etymology

Based on the term double entendre.

Noun

single entendre (plural single entendres)

1. (humorous) A phrase that has a single, often bawdy, meaning and is lacking in subtlety or cleverness.
   • 1985, Sheila Davis, The Craft of Lyric Writing, page 273:

     She unintentionally wrote single entendre: a lyric about a dinner menu.

   • 1998, Rob Des Hotel, Dean Batali, “Phases”, in Buffy the Vampire Slayer:

     Larry: Man, Oz, I would love to get me some of that Buffy and Willow action, if you know what I mean.
     Oz: Good job, Larry. You've really mastered the single entendre.

   • 1999, Thomas Patrick Doherty, Pre-code Hollywood: Sex, Immorality, and Insurrection in American Cinema, page 182:

     In truth Mae West didn't utter many double entendres; her specialty was the single entendre, the blunt come-on and right-between-the-eyes proposition.

   • 2004, Gregory David Roberts, Shantaram, page 58:

     I told him once he's so shallow that the best he can manage is a single entendre. The funny thing is, he liked it.

   • 2005, Kieran Scott, Jingle Boy, page 74:

     " […] She is the best kisser I've ever had in my life and I've had plenty, if ya know what I mean...."
     Scooby had definitely mastered the single entendre.

Related terms

• double entendre
• triple entendre

See also

• monosemous