Is Drive-Through Liquor an Oxymoron?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of oxymorons, sparked by the phrase "drive-through liquor." Participants explore whether this phrase qualifies as an oxymoron and share various examples of oxymorons, while also debating the definitions and implications of the term.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that "drive-through liquor" could be seen as an oxymoron, while others disagree, arguing it is not contradictory.
  • One participant defines an oxymoron as a combination of incongruous or contradictory terms, providing examples like "deafening silence" and "original copy."
  • Another participant argues that "original copy" is indeed an oxymoron, while others challenge this by stating that the term can make sense in certain contexts.
  • Several examples of phrases that may or may not qualify as oxymorons are presented, including "jumbo shrimp," "military intelligence," and "British humility."
  • Participants express differing views on whether certain phrases are true oxymorons or merely appear contradictory based on interpretation.
  • There is a discussion about the distinction between oxymorons and other forms of contradiction, such as paradoxes.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on whether "drive-through liquor" is an oxymoron. There are multiple competing views regarding what constitutes an oxymoron, leading to ongoing debate and differing interpretations of various examples.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express uncertainty about the definitions of oxymorons and the examples provided, indicating that interpretations can vary based on context and understanding.

JamesU
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The other day, I was passing by another area of town, when I saw a sign that said: DRIVE-THROUGH LIQUOR. Now, I know that people aren't SUPPOSED to drink in their car, but I DO know that a lot of them don't.

doesn't 'drive through liquor' sound like an oxymoron
 
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No it doesn't.
 
:frown: ....
 
Drive through liquor literally sounds like driving through an alcoholic liquid. Drive through pharmacies don't mean you pop the pills right after getting them. Drive thru's(why do they write that on the signs?) are generally picking something up and eating it/drinking it later...
 
oxymoron is when two incongruous or contradictory terms are combined. Deafening Silence, Mournful optimist, "what if bush was right?"
 
Oxymoron: Smart smurf
 
Pengwuino said:
Oxymoron: Smart smurf
This is not an oxymoron so much as it is sarcasm: a mode of satirical wit depending for its effect on bitter, caustic, and often ironic language that is usu. directed against an individual

Smurf's Bush remark was also sarcasm, and not an oxymoron.
 
zoobyshoe said:
This is not an oxymoron so much as it is sarcasm: a mode of satirical wit depending for its effect on bitter, caustic, and often ironic language that is usu. directed against an individual

Smurf's Bush remark was also sarcasm, and not an oxymoron.

:confused: :confused: :confused: :confused: uhm... uhhh... your the moron!
 
original copy is an oxymoron
like, i have an original copy of my paper

that is a definite maybe
is also an oxymoron


a small crowd gathered


half full


virtual reality



strangely familiar



all alone



clearly misunderstood




constant variable

etc
 
  • #10
Pengwuino said:
Oxymoron: Smart smurf
you know that's getting annoying.
 
  • #11
Here are some:

cruel kindness
happy sadness
confused lucidity
outstanding mediocrity
sharp bluntness
attractive repellence
energetic lethargy
vague specificity
weighty levity
moist aridity
unearthly worldliness
wavey straightness
intelligent stupidity
promiscuous monogamy
healthy toxicity
full emptiness
heavenly evil
suave clumsiness
dissatisfied contentment
inconsistant sameness
 
  • #12
Hot water heater.
 
  • #13
Most of these I don't think are oxymorons...
moose said:
original copy is an oxymoron
like, i have an original copy of my paper
This one is. Something can not be a copy and the original at the same time.

that is a definite maybe
is also an oxymoron
I don't see this as one. Something is definitely still up in the air. It's the wording that makes it seem oxymoronic.

a small crowd gathered
I'm quite sure crowds can come in different sizes.

half full
This would sort of be a contraction of "Half way to being full"

virtual reality
Something very close to but not reality.

strangely familiar
A sense of familiarity which seems oddly placed?

all alone
This one I'm not sure about. It just seems like an unnecessary qualifier was added. You could be right though.


clearly misunderstood
This seems very much the same as the "definite maybe". I don't see a problem with the idea that something has clearly been misunderstood.

constant variable
Again like the above. Isn't it possible that something can be a known in some instances but variable in others? And then there can be something that is always an unknown or constantly variable?


Sorry if I'm being nit picky but I often find that I have trouble communicating with people because they think certain things or terms to be mutually exclusive when they really aren't. So I sometimes take it upon myself to point what I see out to people. Maybe it can give you a different perspective.
 
  • #14
mattmns said:
Hot water heater.

That's not an oxymoron.
 
  • #15
I think that's more of a non sequitor. It doesn't make much sense at face value.

Since we're giving examples of oxymorons, my personal favorite is Jumbo Shrimp.
 
  • #16
Pengwuino said:
:confused: :confused: :confused: :confused: uhm... uhhh... your the moron!
A better response would've been "You're an oxymoron". God, I can't believe you missed that. Have I taught you nothing?
 
  • #17
If I "DRIVE THROUGH LIQUOR," my vehicle runs on alternative fuel.
 
  • #19
TheStatutoryApe said:
Most of these I don't think are oxymorons...
I don't think any of them are.
This one is. Something can not be a copy and the original at the same time.
The first copy you make of something can be the original copy. If you are referring to the original as a copy, it's not an oxymoron, just a misnomer.
 
  • #20
zoobyshoe said:
I don't think any of them are.

The first copy you make of something can be the original copy. If you are referring to the original as a copy, it's not an oxymoron, just a misnomer.
Ah... I wasn't thinking. Copy doesn't necessarily mean a duplicate.

How about "Alone in a crowd"?
 
  • #21
No, I think "original copy" is a perfect example of an oxymoron.

"Original" and "copy" are contradictory.
 
  • #22
I think you could say that its a copy of the original and kinda get by without saying its an oxymoron.
 
  • #23
TRCSF said:
No, I think "original copy" is a perfect example of an oxymoron.

"Original" and "copy" are contradictory.
Copy doesn't necessarily refer to a duplicate. Copy sometimes refers to textual material that is to be copied/duplicated/printed in which case "original copy" makes perfect sense.
 
  • #24
TheStatutoryApe said:
Copy doesn't necessarily refer to a duplicate. Copy sometimes refers to textual material that is to be copied/duplicated/printed in which case "original copy" makes perfect sense.

Maybe not necessarily, but it often does. That's all that's necessary for it to be an oxymoron. It doesn't have to be some sort of logical contradiction. I think you're confusing "oxymoron" with "paradox."

"original copy" is an oxymoron even though it makes perfect sense. Same with "jumbo shrimp" or "civil war" or any other oxymoron.
 
  • #25
Well I think the only reason jumbo shrimp is an oxymoron is because we relate "shrimp" to small things. And civil war doesn't fit because your ignoring a definition that makes it logically correct. I think oxymoron is when there's two completely illogical words back to back like that deafening silence example.
 
  • #26
Not strictly an oxymoron, but I like it : Microsoft Works
 
  • #27
TRCSF said:
Maybe not necessarily, but it often does. That's all that's necessary for it to be an oxymoron. It doesn't have to be some sort of logical contradiction. I think you're confusing "oxymoron" with "paradox."

"original copy" is an oxymoron even though it makes perfect sense. Same with "jumbo shrimp" or "civil war" or any other oxymoron.
The definition of an oxymoron is that it joins contradictory terms. Your examples are only seemingly contradictory so not really oxymorons.
 
  • #28
Every oxymoron can be reworded, or claimed to have a different meaning for it to not be an oxymoron anymore. It's an oxymoron when you think of it with that definition.
 
  • #29
TheStatutoryApe said:
Ah... I wasn't thinking. Copy doesn't necessarily mean a duplicate.

How about "Alone in a crowd"?
No, I wouldn't say that's an oxymoron. Just means you're not in the crowd with friends or family or anyone you know. It's hard to come up with a good one for the kind of solitude-amongst-many you're describing. The opposite, "crowded solitude" is not hard.
 
  • #30
TheStatutoryApe said:
The definition of an oxymoron is that it joins contradictory terms. Your examples are only seemingly contradictory so not really oxymorons.
I agree with this. They were, sort of, pseudo-oxymorons.
 

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