leg-pull
LowInformal, somewhat dated
Definition
Meaning
A practical joke or instance of mild deception meant to be humorous rather than harmful.
Any act or statement intended to tease or trick someone in a playful, non-malicious manner; a gentle hoax.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term implies light-hearted intent and the expectation that the victim will eventually see the humor. It is not used for cruel or damaging deceptions.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More common and idiomatic in British English; American English more frequently uses 'practical joke', 'joke', or 'pull someone's leg' as a verb phrase.
Connotations
In both varieties, it connotes harmless fun. In British English, it can have a slightly old-fashioned or quaint feel.
Frequency
Rare in contemporary American English; low frequency in modern British English, though still understood.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
to be a leg-pullto play a leg-pull on someoneIt was just a leg-pull.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “pull someone's leg (verb form)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Very rare. Possibly in very informal banter among colleagues: 'Don't worry, his claim about the impossible deadline was just a leg-pull.'
Academic
Not used.
Everyday
Used in informal social contexts among friends or family to describe a playful trick.
Technical
Not used.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- I think he's just pulling your leg about the car breaking down.
American English
- I'm pretty sure she was pulling your leg when she said that.
adverb
British English
- (No standard adverbial form.)
American English
- (No standard adverbial form.)
adjective
British English
- He had a leg-pulling manner about him that could be annoying.
American English
- (Adjectival use is rare; 'teasing' is preferred.)
Examples
By CEFR Level
- It was a funny leg-pull.
- My brother's story about seeing a lion was just a leg-pull.
- The veteran journalists played an elaborate leg-pull on the new trainee, sending him to fetch a non-existent tool.
- Perceiving the politician's absurd claim as a cynical leg-pull, the press corps reacted with derisive laughter.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine someone pretending to pull your leg to make you stumble, but you laugh because it's just a joke.
Conceptual Metaphor
DECEPTION IS PHYSICAL TRIPPING/PULLING (A harmless trick is like a playful tug on the leg).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate literally as 'тянуть ногу'. This is nonsensical.
- The Russian phrase 'разыгрывать кого-то' or 'подшучивать над кем-то' captures the sense.
Common Mistakes
- Using it to describe a malicious lie.
- Using it as a verb (the verb is 'to pull someone's leg').
- Misspelling as 'legpull' (should be hyphenated).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary implication of a 'leg-pull'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is informal and somewhat dated.
A 'leg-pull' is gentle, playful, and quickly revealed. A 'hoax' is more elaborate, serious, and intended to deceive a wider audience for longer.
No. The noun is 'leg-pull'. The verb phrase is 'to pull someone's leg'.
It is understood but very rarely used. Americans typically say 'practical joke' or just 'joke', and use the verb 'pull someone's leg'.