Hyperbole
"Give me a thousand kisses, then a hundred, Then another thousand, then a second hundred, Then still another thousand, then a hundred"
Hyperbole is a figure of speech that uses an exaggerated or extravagant statement to create a strong emotional response. As a figure of speech it is not intended to be taken literally. Hyperbole is frequently used for humour. Examples of hyperbole are:
- They ran like greased lightning.
- He's got tons of money.
- Her brain is the size of a pea.
- He is older than the hills.
- I will die if she asks me to dance.
- She is as big as an elephant!
- I'm so hungry I could eat a horse.
- I have told you a million times not to lie!
The media and the advertising industry often use hyperbole (which may then be described as hype or media hype).