Oxymoron/juxtaposition

Dear Dr English,

While reading a friendÕs analysis of ShakespeareÕs poems, I came across two words that appear to mean the same thing. But my friend used them in two different contexts. The words are ÒjuxtapositionÓ and ÒoxymoronÓ. Could you explain the difference to me? Thank you.

Raj Shah

The words have similar meanings but are not quite the same. Both are formal words.

ÒJuxtapositionÓ comes from the verb Òto juxtaposeÓ meaning to put two things or ideas that are not similar close together or next to each other, in order to emphasise the differences or similarities between them; as in, Òthe writer juxtaposes the death of the hunted lion with an illustration of wild daisiesÓ. The noun of this verb is ÒjuxtapositionÓ which means an act or instance of placing two things close together or side by side. This is often done in order to compare or contrast the two, to show similarities or differences.
The movie sends out messages about individualism using juxtaposition of different lifestyles of two friends throughout the story.

ÒOxymoronÓ is a singular noun with oxymora or oxymoron as a plural form. It means a combination of contradictory or incongruous words (words that do not fit properly together) or seem to have an opposite meaning such as Òtrivial importantÓ. Oxymoron is a Greek term derived from oxy (ÒsharpÓ) and moros (ÒdullÓ).
Oxymora are a proper subset of the expressions called a contradiction in terms. What distinguishes oxymora from other paradoxes and contradictions is that they are used intentionally for rhetorical effects and the contradiction is obvious, as the combination of terms provides a novel expression of some concept. The most common form of oxymoron involves an adjective-noun combination; for example, honest corruption and innocent sin.

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Games and sports

Dear Dr English,

What does it mean when somebody asks ÒWhat is your game?Ó And what does a Òsporting chanceÓmean?

Nuntawadee Sukmak

When somebody asks you ÒWhat is your game?Ó he or she resents your behaviour and wants to know what your intentions are. It is an informal expression.

A Òsporting chanceÓ implies a reasonable chance of success. If somebody says that there is a sporting chance that something good will happen, it is possible that it will happen.
Fred stands a sporting chance of being granted a scholarship.

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