A type of word play wherein one word has two meanings or where similar-sounding words are exploited, is known as pun. This gives an ambiguity to the sentence, which is purposely added for a humorous or rhetorical effect. According to Ambrose Bierce, pun is "A form of wit, to which wise men stoop and fools aspire". Literary figures like Shakespeare, Wordsworth, Oscar Wilde, and George Carlin were famous for its use in their works. This so-called lowbrow humorous device works on double entendre. Types of Puns Visual Pun: Using a picture to convey the pun is quite popular nowadays. Usually, logos, emblems, symbols, and other graphic elements are utilized to put the message across to the reader. Homophonic Pun: Here, the pun depends on similar-sounding words with different meanings. Usually, the nuances of the sentence structure are ignored to bring in the humor element. "Why is it so wet in England? Because many kings and queens have reigned there." Homographic Pun: This type of pun involves words which have the same spelling, but different meanings. "You can tune a guitar, but you can't tuna fish. Unless of course, you play bass." - Douglas Adams (homographic pun on bass) Homonymic Pun: This type of pun is often far-fetched and involves homographic and/or homophonic puns. It presents lexical ambiguity in a sentence. "War does not determine who is right - only who is left." Compound Pun: It relies on a string of words which forms another word or string of words, thereby adding the comic element. "Why can a man never starve in the Great Desert? Because he can eat the sand which is there." Recursive Pun: The second part of the pun depends on the understanding of the first element of the sentence. "A Freudian slip is when you say one thing but mean your mother." (your mother refers to the Oedipus complex) Back in the 18th century, puns were considered as high humor and of great wit. However, nowadays the usage of pun may not amuse people greatly, as this figure of speech is considered as a cheap wordplay and sometimes also can be taken as a sarcastic insult.