Pun is also known as paronomasia, which is a type of comic wordplay that shows double or multiple meanings. The comedy is hidden behind the confusion of homophones – having different meanings but the same in pronunciation. It can be said as a comic puzzle that activates the brain and its solution leaves a sense of relief. They are used to add humor or comic relief to the writing so that the reader or viewer can be entertained. Understanding puns is not complex with a creative mind and some sense of wit or humor. Puns should sound humorous and straightforward in their perception. This ambiguity of punning and appropriate phrasing creates humor in work, but this demonstration should relate to the situation at the right time and place. Some examples of famous puns from Disney movies are given below.
Example #1
Cheetahs never prosper from Lion King
It is Zuzu’s report to Mufasa, there is a great message hidden in a pun. In this line, the pun is hidden in the confusion of “cheetahs” can be pronounced as cheaters.
Example #2
I’m the king’s majordodo from Lion King
Another example from Lion King, these words are taken from when the young lions and Zazu are locked by the hyenas in the graveyard of elephants. Shenzi calls him “Mufasa’s little stooge”. He wisely corrected and gave the title of “majordodo”. This title is a comic play on the word “majordomo”, which is the title for a flight assistant in the royal court. Hence, the pun can be familiar if the listener or viewer is well aware of the fact that the dodo is an extinct bird.
Example #3
Rabbit : Good grief! Tie them together, Piglet! Can you tie a knot?
Piglet : I cannot.
Rabbit : Ah, so you CAN knot.
Piglet : No. I cannot knot
This example is taken from Winnie The Pooh, the play of the words knot/not is quite evident and the repetition of “knot” is also the source of the humor.
Example #4
King Candy: “You wouldn’t hit a guy with glasses, would you?
Oh…you hit a guy, with glasses. Well played.”
The above example is taken from the movie King Candy. Ralph was not supposed to hit the guy with glasses, although he put the pair of glasses. The word glasses in this scene is a reference to the spectacles.
Example #5
First, we need to acknowledge the elephant in the room” and then, after a short pause says, “Francine” and then “Happy birthday!
This dialogue is taken from the film Zootopia. This is a wonderful example of a pun. The phrase ‘elephants in the room’ refers to a major problem that is controversial, and everyone should avoid its discussion.
Example #6
Well the buzz from the bees is that the leopards are in a bit of a spot. And the baboons are going ape over this. Of course, the giraffes are acting like they’re above it all… The tick birds are pecking on the elephants. I told the elephants to forget it, but they can’t. The cheetahs are hard up…
This example is also taken from The Lion King, from Zazu’s speech, making it a good example of a pun. Here the word “buzz” is a bee sound but here, it is used for gossip.
Example #7
‘Mine is a long and a sad tale!’ said the Mouse, turning to Alice, and sighing. ‘It is a long tail, certainly,’ said Alice, looking down with wonder at the Mouse’s tail; ‘but why do you call it sad?’ And she kept on puzzling about it while the Mouse was speaking.”
Although Alice in Wonderland is a novel written by Lewis Carroll, the words are taken from the Alice in Wonderland film by Disney. In these lines, the word-play is shown in the confusion of “tale/tail”, making it a good example of a pun.
Example #8
If it’s not Baroque, don’t fix it.
This sentence is from Beauty and the Beast. As a pun, the word ‘Baroque’ is also the reflection of the famous painting “Girl with a pearl earring” by Baroque Vermeer. The confusion lies in words Baroque and broke, which is pronounced as ‘Ba – roke’.
Example #9
I won it in Hero’s Duty!” “Hero’s Doody…?”
“It’s not that kind of doody!
This conversation is taken from the Wreck-It Ralph film, which is about the titular arcade game villain. The villain revolts against his dreams to become the hero. Here the words duty and doody are used with humor.
Example #10
Mr. Potato Head: Hey, no one takes my wife’s mouth but me!
C’mon Mr. Potato Head, I know you were trying to sound tough but think that one through. (Toy story)
These lines from Toy Story is spoken by Mr. Potato Head as watches Lotso snapping Mrs .Potatao’s lips to keep her silent. While the situation appears funny to grab the attention, it also has a double meaning. Where Mr. Potato Head means that only he can kiss his wife.
Example #11
Uncle Waldo: Prime Country Goose A la Provencale, stuffed with chestnuts”…?
And basted in white wine. Hic!
Thomas O’Malley: Basted? He’s been marinated in it.(
This conversation is from a Disney film named, The Aristocats. The great wordplay from a cat is a wonderful example of a pun in these lines. Uncle Waldo is the goose who regrettably points his species on a menu and recipe.
Example #12
Disney Movie Title: Ratatouille
One of the most loved Disney films title, ‘Ratatouille’ is an excellent example of a pun. The whole film revolves around this character. A rat who can cook is allied with a young man in a restaurant. No doubt it’s a wistful and wonderful film.
Example #13
I love how your fowl little mind works.
These words are taken from a live-action remake of the classic Disney film Aladdin. These words are spoken by Jafar to the parrot, and the wordplay is here beautifully presented in words fowl and foul.
Example #14
No, no, no! I’m not catching a cold! The word is issue, not ah-choo!”
In this example from Winnie The Pooh, the wordplay is achoo/issue. The bear, Pooh has misunderstood the owl’s words. Owl is trying to clarify his words using a pun.
Example #15
Leopards are in a bit of a spot.
Another famous pun taken from Lion King has used the pun cleverly with the words sport and spot. Here “sport” means challenging situations and the spot means in a tricky situation.
