jeu de mots

[zhœd^uh moh]

noun

French.

plural

jeux de mots 

1. a pun.

Word History and Origins

Origin of jeu de mots¹

Literally, “play of words”

Example Sentences

“I remember my father having to explain himself, and his lyrics, because he plays with the jeu de mots, how do you say that? When you play with the sounds of the words, like a double meaning?”

From The Guardian

Was it a verbal faux pas, or a jeu de mots gone wrong?

From The Guardian

Like the emperor himself, Alexandra Petri’s example of Napoleonic jeu de mots came up short.

From Washington Post

My first impression, on ascertaining this result, was one of horror at the treasonable "jeu de mots" I had so unwittingly perpetrated.

From Project Gutenberg

The audience thereupon exclaimed, "Languille crie avant qu'on l'�corche;" and hence the "jeu de mots," and the proverb.

From Project Gutenberg