Results - 18.02.2012

Categories: Movies & Household items

You'd have to go quite a way back to find a Pun-Off with this much quality and quantity. It was a massive week: 330+ comments, most of which illustrated the high standard of Punning we've come to expect. The day's wordplay started well and didn't stop until the final moments; there were some moments of genius today not seen before. Today was a glowing endorsement for competitive Punning and Punning House is swollen with pride.

It goes without saying that judging a day like today was tough; really tough! My short list is 28 Puns long! Also, there are so many possible honourable mentions that I'm concerned people's feelings will be hurt if they don't get a shout out - please forgive me! So here we go, I did the best I could:

In 3rd Place....he's a fairly recent addition to The Pun-Off and it is a delight to have witnessed his speedy progress from workman-like Punner to deserved winner.

Full Kettle Jacket - Steve Dare

The Popularity of this Pun could not be ignored - 12 Likes. Let's focus for a moment on the syllabic integrity on display here; the subtlety of it alone makes me doff my cap towards Dare with reverence. The Kettle didn't feature anywhere near as much as I thought it would. Given it's lofty status in the history and culture of Britain perhaps people didn't want to degrade it by marrying it into a sub-par Pun. Dare has done nothing of the sort here and commendation is just.

Professional contact
lens remover

In 2nd Place....he's actually renowned for delivering deliberately bad Puns; which is a  quite a mind scrambling loop of logic. This week he seems to have pushed his Pun-gun into to overdrive and has surpassed himself:

Schindler's Whisk - Andy Watts 

Another very Popular Pun - 9 Likes. I imagine that Oscar Schindler owned a whisk at some point in his Jew liberating life and that makes this Pun work wonderfully as both an example of superior wordplay and as a matter of fact. Watts' is a highly regarded member of the Punning Community and it's a shame he hasn't been on the winner's board more. This is dominant work from the New Zealander perhaps indicating a change of approach.

And in 1st Place....Here he is again with a rich, hearty Pun that has depth in technical quality as well as imagery:

The Breville wears Prada - Jon Fawbert

A winner right up there with our other frequent champions: Mitchell, Dean, Watts, Evans et al. If one of you is able to find fault with this Pun then you've a better eye for Puns that I. It flows, it's assertive without bleeding over into the aggressive, it's syllabic integrity is without question and it conjures imagery so wonderful that it makes me want wee in my own eyes. A Prada Breville advertised with this kind of Pun could make a fortune. I feel a letter to Breville coming on. Well done Jon, you're a true champion of the art and me standing to attention and saluting your face is the best I can do to honour your class.

And so to THE PEOPLE'S CHAMPION award....he's a superstar of Punning; he's as honourable in victory as he is technically brilliant. Punners and Punnettes, I give you this masterpiece:

Spatula Future - Jonn Dean

Jonn was noble enough to fess-up and announce at the point of Pun delivery that he had some assistance with this one. But, I don't care! If Jonn knows someone who came up with this Pun then he deserves to win purely for keeping such good company. Imagine a TV advert with Professor Doc Brown showcasing the latest innovation in cookware...followed by the strap-line - "Spatula Future". It's wonderful Punning and Dean deserves every accolade possible for this one. Astonishing Pun-work.

"Jonn Dean!?
Again!?"

Honourable mentions

Like I said; there were too many amazing Puns to mention every one here. To appreciate the quality just take a moment to skim through them all and add your favourites to the comments on the Facebook link.

However, there were a few special moments today that I couldn't ignore:

Precocious Punning

Rudi Barrington (Aged 10) showed a maturity of wordplay that would shame many a veteran Punner. The daughter of debutant Andy Barrington demonstrated that sometimes experience can be overshadowed by energy, dynamism and a deep-rooted desire to Pun. Well done Rudi, you are our youngest Punner yet.

The Edmund McCartney Award

This week's award for ostentatious, high-concept Punning goes to (surprise, surprise) Ed McCartney. He only used French language movies today in what could be perceived as a contemptuous statement of superior knowledge. This isn't actually the case of course, Ed just likes to "Mix it up". Runner up this week was Steve Bentham with Texchair Bikechain Massivecar - it's very ambitious work from Bentham, he might be best advised to rethink his strategy - his work is impactful but bordering on the overly complex. He's the determined type though and I'm convinced he'll turn it around.

The Steve's Mum Award

It's always great to see The Mazza getting involved. Mother and Son Punning - golden moments.

Power Punning

Rich Dinham & Tim Evans - Both threw in their Puns within a 2 minute window of oppourtunity. I suspect The Stalking Horse Evans has a note pad full of potential entries at his desk and eventually whittles them down to his final 5 to enter at the last minute. I expect Rich is just quite busy with his job...and son.

Debutants

Andy Barrington

Showed promise, technical skill and clarity in delivery. He's clearly training daughter Rudi for Punning greatness. Took a while to get involved, hope to see them both more.

Adam Hallows

Another late comer to The Pun-Off despite having a solid history in the wordplay realm. Is likely to excel as the weeks go on.

Zoe Wood

I've not seen a debut this brilliant since the the great Jonn Dean. A Spoon for Romeo Brass, To Grill a Mocking Bird, Barton Sink!! Quite brilliant.

Nathan Jones

Some strong work from Jones; he's another one to watch out for clearly.

Graeme Smith

Came into play late and made a good impression. Subtlety seems to be his weapon of choice and for me that's a wise approach.

I'm so happy about his week's performance; genuine quality and massive quantity. Since the inception of The Pun-Off we've seen much progress and by tomorrow the blog will have been viewed 3000 times in just three months. Please take a moment to share the link on your status - it's means more views, more people wanting to play and ultimately the advancement of Punning for all!!