Obvious, intentional exaggeration that is not meant to be taken literally is called hyperbole [hahy-pur-buh-lee]. I tend to use hyperbole a lot in my every day speech, saying things like:
I waited in line forever to get tickets!
It was so cold, my fingers turned to ice.
I'm so hungry, I could eat a horse!
I could sleep for a hundred years....
Hyperbole is often used when writing poetry or satire. Here is one example:
Hyperbole of My Dog
Little Girl is my dog.
She sleeps like a log.
She has a huge mouth
And eats like a hog.
In her excitement
Her tail is a whip times ten.
When she sees food
Her eyes start to spin.
~Autumn Jones
Do you have any favorite examples of hyperbole? Try making your own hyperbolic sentences. (Don't forget to share them -- I'd love to see them!)
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