言こと葉ばをもじる

expression, godan verb (-ru)

make a pun on a word; play on words

Used when twisting or altering a word or phrase for humorous or rhetorical effect, often in wordplay or puns.

• 彼かれはよく言こと葉ばをもじって冗じょう談だんを言いう。

  He often makes jokes by playing on words.

• そのキャッチコピーは有ゆう名めいな言こと葉ばをもじったものだ。

  That catchphrase is a pun on a famous word.