jeu de mots

American  

[zhœd^uh moh] / ʒœdə ˈmoʊ /

noun

French.

plural

jeux de mots

1. a pun.

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Etymology

Origin of jeu de mots

Literally, “play of words”

Example Sentences

It is simply a jeu de mots, and no more, though funny enough as it stands.

From By-ways in Book-land Short Essays on Literary Subjects by Adams, William Davenport

Now and again he chuckled as some jeu de mots hit the mark and drew a quick gust of laughter from the unseen audience.

From The Head of Kay's by Wodehouse, P. G. (Pelham Grenville)

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

From Notes and Queries, Vol. IV, Number 100, September 27, 1851 A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Genealogists, etc. by Various

"Come, come, you little humbug, take off that gigantic sacque, and sit down here; upun my word I won't make any more of those nasty jeu de mots."

From Honor Edgeworth Ottawa's Present Tense by Vera, [pseud.]

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

From Notes and Queries, Vol. IV, Number 89, July 12, 1851 A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Geneologists, etc. by Various