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This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer Dan Hickey. Dan Hickey is a writer and humorist from Chicago, Illinois. He has published work on various internet satire sites and has been a member of the wikiHow team since 2022. A former teaching artist at a community music school, Dan enjoys helping people learn new skills they never thought they could master. He graduated with a BA in Clarinet Performance from DePauw University in 2015 and a BA from DePaul University in 2017. There are 11 references cited in this article which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of all facts cited and confirming the authority of its sources. Find out more…
You’ve probably heard someone refer to an allusion with a smirk or a smirk, but what exactly is an allusion? An innuendo is a rhetorical device that implies something rude, critical, dirty, or taboo without directly speaking about it. They can be found in casual conversation, literature, movies, and more. In this article, we will explain exactly what allusion is and give you plenty of examples to help you understand the playful nuance of this literary device. We’ll also show you how to make your own so you can show off your subtle wit and humor. Read on to find out more!
- Sexual allusions: “They seem to get along very well.”
- Random allusion: “I love their nuts!”
- An innocent allusion: “They finally figured it out. That cover is so tricky!”
Decide what you want to hint at in a humorous or subtle way. What is it that you want to describe without saying it directly?[11]
Allusions are usually to something vulgar, indecent or taboo, but this may depend on your intended audience. What is casual and appropriate for one person may be edgy and allusive to another.- Let’s say you want to talk about how your dog went to the bathroom on the kitchen floor. This is now the subject of your insinuations.
Think of an innocent-sounding phrase that hints at a deeper meaning. This is where your creativity comes to the fore. What is a word, phrase, or expression that seems unrelated to the subject of your allusion, but could reasonably be interpreted as one?[12]
If the subject of your allusion is your dog that left poop on the kitchen floor, you could say that the dog “left a surprise” or “brought you a gift.” Here “left a surprise or gift” is an allusion to “pooped on the floor”.- The full allusion could read like this: “Hey Brad! The dog just left us a present on the kitchen floor.”
Emphasize the hint phrase with your word choice or delivery. For example, you might raise your eyebrows or wink after saying “The dog just left us a present on the kitchen floor” to imply that you are speaking rhetorically. Speaking in a challenging or angry tone can also mean that the “gift” is also something negative. Another way to signal an allusion is to use an accompanying phrase like “…if you know what I mean” or “…if you get me” to let the other person know you’re not being literal.[13]
- For example: While raising your eyebrows in disgust, you might say, “The dog just left us a present on the kitchen floor, if you know what I mean.”
- How much you emphasize the hint depends on how subtle you want to be (or not). An obvious accent will suggest to most people that you are speaking insinuatingly, while a dry or subtle presentation will make it difficult to understand.
Use allusions for casual conversation, creative writing, or entertainment. Because the subject of an allusion is often dirty or taboo, avoid using them in formal or professional writing and conversation. Instead, use them in more informal situations such as when you’re talking to friends, trying to convey a secret idea, or working on movies, TV, or music with hidden meanings.
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