M: Is there a particular word for taking a quote but directly reversing key elements of its wording? Something more specific than just paraphrasing.
G: There isn't a widely recognized single word for this, but "antiphrasis" might come close if the reversal creates irony or contrast. However, if you're systematically inverting key elements of a quote while maintaining its structure, you could describe it as "inverse paraphrasing", "counterquotation", or even a "mirror quote" depending on context.
If you're deliberately flipping the meaning while preserving recognizable elements, "chiasmic inversion" (drawing from "chiasmus," a rhetorical device where elements are reversed) could also work.
M: What is the specific definition of antiphrasis
G: Antiphrasis is a rhetorical device in which a word or phrase is used in a way that conveys the opposite of its literal meaning, often for irony or sarcasm. For example, calling a tall person "Tiny" or a messy room "organized chaos."
It doesn’t quite fit what you're describing unless the reversal of key elements creates irony or an opposite meaning. If you're looking for something more structured, other rhetorical terms like chiasmus or antimetabole might be closer.
M: What about counterquotation
G: Counterquotation isn’t a formal rhetorical term, but it could be a useful way to describe the practice of taking a well-known quote and reversing or altering key elements to oppose its original meaning. It suggests a deliberate contrast or refutation while maintaining enough of the original structure to be recognizable.
It would work well in contexts like debates, satire, or critical analysis where the goal is to challenge or subvert the original quote.