A Double Entendre (French for "double meaning") is a figure of speech that can be understood in two ways: 1. Iteral: Innocent and safe. 2. Implied: Risqué, sexual, or ironic.
The Art of Plausible Deniability
The beauty of the double entendre is that the speaker can feign innocence. "I was just talking about my cat! You have a dirty mind!" This dates back to eras of strict censorship, where writers had to sneak adult themes past the censors.
The "Innuendo"
While similar, an innuendo is usually a hint or a suggestion. A double entendre is structurally ambiguous—the sentence makes perfect grammatical sense in both contexts.
Example from Goldfinger (James Bond): * Bond: "Who are you?" * Girl: "Pussy Galore." * Bond: "I must be dreaming."
The Master: "That's What She Said"
The modern king of double entendre is Michael Scott from The Office. His catchphrase "That's What She Said" takes any innocent statement about size, length, or difficulty and instantly sexualizes it.
- Pam: "My mother is coming."
- Michael: "That's what she said."
It’s low-brow, immature, and incredibly effective because it forces the brain to rapidly toggle between the office context and the bedroom context.
Why We Love It
Double entendres make us feel clever. We "decoded" the secret message. It turns conversation into a game of hide-and-seek.