Tom Swift was =
the brainchild of Edward L. Stratemeyer (1862-1930). Stratemeyer first =
used the name "Tom Swift" for the title character in =
"Shorthand Tom; or, the exploits of a young reporter", =
serialized in 1894. Stratemeyer was also the creator of the Bobbsey =
Twins, Nancy Drew, the Hardy Boys, and other lesser-known series. He =
paid other writers to actually pen each story but kept control of the =
“brand”.
He avoided the =
simple use of the word "said". Tom never merely =
"said" anything; he asserted, asseverated, averred, chuckled, =
declared, ejaculated, expostulated, grinned (plainly or mischievously), =
groaned, quipped, or smiled. Sentences of the form: "—", Tom =
said —ly were used ad nauseam. Then one day someone decided to =
satirize the mannerism by using puns, and the Tom Swifty jokes were =
born.
I love puns, =
so decided for 2022 and into 2023 I would post a monthly list of =
“Tom Swifty” puns on the first weekday of each month, =
starting with adverbs beginning in “A” in January, =
“B” in February, etc.
"I don’t =
want to rewrite this poem in prose," said Tom =
aversely.
“Fire!&qu=
ot; yelled Tom alarmingly
"The =
number of students not attending class today really bothers me," =
said the professor absent-mindedly.
"I like =
modern painting," said Tom abstractly.
"Let’s =
all play an A, a C#, and an E," cried Tom to the band =
accordingly.
“You =
have the right to remain silent," said Tom =
arrestingly.
“I =
insist on naming the first male insect," said Tom =
adamantly.
“The =
jelly is 50% set," Tom said affirmingly.
“I hope =
to write a book on puns," said Bob =
authoritatively.
“I’m =
wearing my wedding ring," said Tom with abandon. [way too good of a =
word-play, even if not a “swifty” =
ly-ending]
~~
Dr Bob Griffin =
[email protected] =
www.grif.net =
"Jesus =
Knows Me, This I Love!"