mocketing
n.— «The “Cheat Death” ad in Rolling Stone last year began with “Dying is so dead” and went on to assert that the stuff “can help prevent premature aging, heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer’s, even cancer.” This may look like the latest example of the familiar tactic of marketing that mocks marketing (a style that almost demands to be called “mocketing”) and tries to win us over with a knowing wink.» —“A Fruit’s Stand” by Rob Walker New York Times Apr. 2, 2006. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
Further reading
Julie in Fort Pierce, Florida, recalls that on sweltering days her mother would declare the weather was hotter than Billy Blue Blazes! The word blazes is a euphemism for “hell,” as in hot as blazes. The blue in blue blazes has long been used as an...
A San Diego, California, listener has observed that some advertising slogans that omit the part of speech known as an article, such as Get iPhone 14 Pro or Do what’s best for Baby. The phrasing is intentional. Advertising often relies on a...