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Wordsmith discovers puns along with sun in San Diego

By David Moye

May 1, 2006

San Diego--Richard Lederer is in a punny state of mind much of the time, but he’s at a loss for words when it comes to discussing the state of puns in America’s Finest City.

“I don’t know if San Diego is punnier than other cities,” says Lederer, “but there is a huge enthusiasm for the language here. I did a book signing this weekend and at least 40 to 60 people showed up.”

One of his first books, “Get Thee To A Punnery: An Anthology Of International Assaults Up The English Language,” turned him into an international expert on the pun when it was first released in 1988.

“Because of that book, I won the title of ‘International Punster Of The Year.’” Now, the book is being updated and reissued this month by publisher Gibb Smith. He also has been a resident of San Diego for nine years and is pleased at how the city has affected his work.

For instance, he grins when he finds streets with punny names like “Unita Place,” or “Haveteur Way,” or when Nobel Drive is a cross street with Lebon and cringes when a San Diego Zoo animal trainer turns down his idea to name the giraffe pen “Giraffic Park.”

All in all, he says the city’s melting pot of English, Spanish and Spanglish makes for a perfect “rewording” experience.

But it’s not always a perfect word or world for Lederer. He says being so close to Mexico plays havoc with his social life.

“I’m a member of MENSA and, in this city, we can’t wear t-shirts because Mensa means ‘stupid’ in Spanish."

Lederer’s newest book is “Word Wizard: Super Bloopers, Rich Reflections And Other Acts Of Word Magic” (St. Martins) and word has it that his show, “A Way With Words,” will be going national this summer.

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