Word: hyperbole (noun)

Associations

• Hyperbole means an extreme exaggeration used to make a point or show strong feeling.
• It is often used in everyday speech, literature, and advertising to create emphasis or humor.
• Examples:
  • "I'm so hungry I could eat a horse." Here, the speaker is not literally going to eat a horse but wants to show they are very hungry.
  • "This bag weighs a ton." The bag does not actually weigh a ton; it's just very heavy.
  • "I've told you a million times." This shows frustration by exaggerating the number of times something was said.
• Synonym: exaggeration. The difference is that hyperbole is usually intentional and obvious, while exaggeration can be less obvious or accidental.

Substitution

• Instead of "hyperbole," you can say "exaggeration," "overstatement," or "magnification."
• Using "exaggeration" is more general and can be less dramatic.
• "Overstatement" is similar but often used in more formal contexts.
• If you replace "hyperbole" with "exaggeration," the meaning stays similar but may sound less literary or artistic.

Deconstruction

• The word "hyperbole" comes from Greek:
  • "hyper-" means "over" or "beyond."
  • "-bole" comes from "ballein," meaning "to throw."
• So, hyperbole literally means "to throw beyond," or "to go beyond the truth."
• This explains why hyperbole is about going beyond reality in speech or writing.

Inquiry

• Can you think of a time when you or someone else used hyperbole to make a story more interesting?
• How does hyperbole help in expressing emotions or making a message stronger?
• Do you notice hyperbole in advertisements or movies? How does it affect you as a listener or viewer?