Literary notes about spoof (AI summary)
In literature the word “spoof” displays a surprising versatility, functioning both as a distinctive character name and as a term denoting playful mimicry or parody. In certain narratives, Spoof emerges as a memorable persona whose antics and ironic exploits drive the story’s humor and satire—as when a group conspires to “put a spoof up on dear old John” [1] or when Spoof himself is central to unfolding dramatic events [2, 3, 4]. At other times, “to spoof” serves as a verb meaning to mock or deride, highlighting the writer’s use of language to infuse irony and critical commentary into the narrative [5, 6, 7]. This multi-dimensional usage not only reinforces the fluidity of language but also exemplifies how literary authors invite readers into a playful engagement with cultural and social conventions.
- You see they were probably all together, and they thought they would put a spoof up on dear old John.
— from A Little Bit of Fluff: A Farce in Three Acts by Walter Ellis - I didn't see them, myself; came in by the south and landed first with your neighbour, Spoof.
— from Neighbours by Robert J. C. Stead - But as it is so often the occasion that makes the man, so now was it the occasion that proved Spoof's resourcefulness.
— from Neighbours by Robert J. C. Stead - MOONBEAMS FROM THE LARGER LUNACY By Stephen Leacock CONTENTS PREFACE I.—SPOOF.
— from Moonbeams from the Larger Lunacy by Stephen Leacock - I would sooner spoof at the people who engineered the Panama Canal or who are drawing up plans for the vehicular tunnel under the Hudson River.
— from Love Conquers All by Robert Benchley - The derivative verb, to guy , is unknown in English; its nearest equivalent is to spoof , which is unknown in American.
— from The American Language A Preliminary Inquiry into the Development of English in the United States by H. L. (Henry Louis) Mencken - “It’s awl a bloomin’ bit of spoof, that’s what it is, moites.
— from The Ocean Wireless Boys on the Atlantic by John Henry Goldfrap
