Name _____________________________
DOGZILLA WORD PLAY
Dav Pilkey creates humor in Dogzilla by using familiar phrases or sayings in unexpected ways and
by usings words and phrases that have multiple meanings. This is known as Word Play or a Play on
Words. For example,
“The Big Cheese tried to catch up to the hot dog with all the relish he could muster,”
is a play on words because many of the words in the sentence have multiple meanings.
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Hot means warm in this sentence but “hot dog” together makes the reader think of
the food.
Relish means enjoyment but is also a hotdog topping of cut up pickles.
Muster means gather up but is similar to the word “mustard” which is also a hotdog
topping.
Catch Up makes the reader think of “ketchup” yet another hotdog topping!
Look through the story to find other examples of Word Play and list them below in the chart.
Page
#
Example
Why is it humorous?
279
“hightailed”
Hightail means to leave rapidly & it’s funny because dogs really do have tails!!
Challenge: Create your own word play for Dogzilla or another story below! Don’t forget to explain it!
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Theme 3 Dogzilla activities developed by Angi Carlomagno for FCUSD