The most coveted word play a rapper can produce is the elusive triple entendre.
Double entendres, however, are written often. The definition of a double entendre is somewhat complex, but the phrase, “layered meaning” is one concise way to define it.
Since Drake’s new album drops tomorrow, I’ll give you a double entendre from one of his songs with Rihanna, “What’s My Name”:
“I heard you good with them soft lips,
Yeah you know word of mouth,
The square root of 69 is ate/8 something”
Traditionally speaking, the double entendre is typically related to a risque double meaning, such as the above.
My premise is that when you’re trying to communicate something, especially to intelligent people, it’s one of the best ways of doing so, especially when the more subtle meaning is the crux of the point you’re trying to make.
I came up with a (really dumb) situational triple entendre this evening while playing around with some stupid video ideas, which is what spurred this post about communication, especially as it relates to copywriting on the web and about technology, which I’ve yet to find an example of. Maybe because it’s a dopey idea, or maybe because it’s hard. You’ll never know unless you try it. So without further ado:
Times, they are a changin’
Here’s the triple, situational, meaning :
I told you it was stupid and not classically accurate (unless you maybe find a way to bring a story arc into those 3 points, such as someone’s life changing event: death, birth).
But I’ve always been fascinated by language with layered meaning. Two meanings is hard. Three is damn near impossible.
And if you can pull it off, and one of your customers gets it, well, then I have a feeling that they know you put love into your product. Just like Steve Jobs cared about what the motherboard of your MacBook looks like, even though you’re highly likely to never see it.
