A Tom swifty is a one-line play on words involving a punning relationship between the way an
adverb describes the action of a speaker and the content of the speaker's statement.
Tom Swift was the brainchild of Edward L. Stratemeyer (1862-1930).
Under the pseudonym Victor Appleton, he published a series of books featuring the young Tom Swift.
Tom Swift rarely passed a remark without a qualifying adverb.
Examples of Tom Swifites
Tom Swifties #1
Tom Swifties #2
Tom Swifties #3
Tom Swifties #4
Tom Swifties #5
Mathematical Tom Swifites (11/8/2004 Problem of the Week)
Mathematical Tom Swifites (sent in by Problem Solvers)