What is a humorous play on words called?

A humorous play on words is known as a pun. Puns rely on the multiple meanings of words or similar-sounding words to create humor or a clever twist in language. They often involve wordplay that highlights the ambiguity or double meaning of phrases, allowing for a witty or comedic effect.

In contrast, onomatopoeia refers to words that phonetically imitate or resemble the sound they describe, such as "buzz" or "sizzle." Repetition involves the reiteration of words or phrases for emphasis or clarity but does not provide the humor associated with puns. A metaphor is a figurative expression that describes something by saying it is something else, which can add depth to writing but does not inherently focus on the playful manipulation of language like a pun does.