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tionary, pun is defined as “the use of word in such a way as to suggest two or more meanings or different associations, or the use of two or more words of the same or nearly the same sound with different meanings, so as to produce a humorous effect”[4]. In Princeton Encyclopedia of Poetry and Poetics, pun is defined as “A figure of speech depending upon a similarity of sound and a disparity of meaning”[5]. From the above definitions, we can see that homonyms, homophones, and homographs all are available to construct puns with. 2.1.1 Homonyms A homonym is a word that is identical to another word in pronunciation and spelling but not in meaning [6]. For example: (1) Can: n. & v. Put something in a container Can: modal verb Be able to (2) Change: v. To become different Change: n. Money in the form of coins (3) Bear: v. Sustain responsibility; endure difficulty, etc Bear: n. A kind of animal, having thick fur and walking on its soles (4) Book: n. A written or printed work Book: v. Engage (a seat etc.) in advance; make a reservation of 2.1.2 Homophones A homophone is a word that is identical to another word in pronunciation but not in spelling and meaning. For example: (5) Bale: n. A large bundle Bail: v. To remove water from a boat (6) Knew: v. Past of know New: adj. Of recent origin or arrival (7) Soul: n. Spiritual or immaterial part of man, held to survive death Sole: n. Lower surface of human or other foot (8) Pair: n. A set of two persons or things used together or regarded as a unit Pear: n. A yellowish or brownish-green fleshy fruit, tapering towards the stalk 2.1.3 Homographs A homograph is a word that is identical to another word in spelling but not in pronunciation and meaning. For example: (9) Minute: n. Sixtieth part of an hour Minute: adj. Very small; trifling (10) Digest: v. To change food in the stomach into a form your body can use Digest: n. A short piece of writing that gives the most important facts from a book, report etc (11) Lead: v. Guide by the hand, direct movements of Lead: n. A kind of metal (12) Wind: n. Air in more or less rapid natural motion Wind: v. Go in circular, spiral course 2.2 Classification of English puns Concerning the classification of puns, different linguists have different standpoints. As He Shanfen states in “Contrastive Studies of English and Chinese-Languages”, puns can be roughly divided into three kinds. They are named antalaclasis, paronomasia and syllepsis [7]. Here the author uses two examples to explain the first two parts. Antalaclasis refers to a word used twice or more, but each time with a different meaning. For example: (13) To England will I steal and there I’ll steal. The first “steal” means “to go to England secretly without being noticed”, while the second “steal” is used in its most commonly used meaning. Paronomasia is the use of two words, which are similar in pronunciation but different in meaning. For example: (14) Catch the Raincheetahs and cheat the rain. Here “raincheetahs” is the brand name of the product. It is pronounced similarly to “raincheater” which echoes to “cheat the rain”. In “English Writing and Rhetoric” written by Prof. WenJun, a more specific means of classification brings about five ca