Yes, sn
owclone. While Merriam-Webster Online does not have a definition for the
term, Wikipedia defines it as a type of formula-based cliche which uses an old idiom in a new context.
Still confused? Basically, take a well-known phrase and substitute one or more key elements of that phrase with other words. If people can still recognize the original context, or at least realize that the phrase can be used with interchangeable pieces, then you have a snowclone.
Examples:
- Got x?: Derived from the hugely successful Got Milk? commercials started by the California Milk Processor Board.
- x called, they want their y back. : The village called, they want their idiot back. 1985 called, they want their mullett back.
- I’m not a x, but I play one on TV. : I’m not a programmer, but I play one on TV.
- You can take the x out of y, but not the y out of x. : You can take the man out of Newfoundland, but not the Newfoundland out of the man!
- x 1, y 0 : Underdog 1, Big Corporation 0.
- x million y can’t be wrong. : 50 million Frenchmen can’t be wrong.
- And one of my favourites: Is that an x in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me?
So, you see snowclones are more fun than a barrel of monkeys. In fact, snowclones are the best thing since sliced bread. If I had a dime for every snowclone I’ve used in my lifetime, I’d be a millionaire. I should be writing about snowclones for fun and profit. I mean, a snowclone is a terrible thing to waste.
Keep reading, because I have here everything you ever wanted to know about snowclones, but were afraid to ask. Happiness is a well-written snowclone. In fact, we’ve secretly replaced our metaphors with snowclones, let’s see if anyone notices. What we’ve created here, is a kinder, gentler snowclone.
Holy snowclone Batman! It’s 11 o’clock, do you know where your snowclones are? If you don’t enjoy your snowclones, the terrorists have won.
Driving you nuts yet? Sorry about that. I’ll stop.
The snowclones have left the building.
