Colloquialisms, Semi-Proverbs, and Word-Play in Plato

Extract

The basis of Plato's style being for the most part informal conversation, certain elements natural and appropriate to this atmosphere may be looked for and found. These include: (1) colloquialisms in the accepted sense—short phrases, or special uses of words, associated with informal or comic style; (2) phrases of poetic type, probably quotations or adaptations, used frequently with burlesque effect; (3) proverbial or semi-proverbial matter; (4) word-play of various types. The above groups overlap at certain points, but the classification may serve fairly well to set forth the material in question.