My father as a boy in the 1920’s read a series of not-very-good science fiction adventures for young lads featuring the exploits of Tom Swift.  This was a series done by the Stratemeyer syndicate that also produced the better-known Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew series.  In this series, the young scientist hero, Tom Swift, underwent adventures involving rocket ships, ray-guns and other things he had invented.  You can read all about the books at:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Swift

A type of pun, called Tom Swifties, developed based on the writing style of the books.  For more information about Tom Swifties see:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Swifties

My father enjoyed telling and hearing Tom Swifties the rest of his life and few family gatherings were free from the compulsory round of Tom Swifty punning. 

Here follow a quick dozen of some my personal favorites. 

 “I wonder what Freud would make of that?” asked Tom dreamily. 

“I like bells,” Tom intoned.

“Fresh coffee anyone?” Tom asked perkily. 

“Not so loud,” Tom said quietly. 

“Drop that gun!” Tom said disarmingly. 

“What beautiful evergreen trees,” Tom opined. 

“Lets make some hamburger,” Tom chuckled. 

“Nice shoulders,” Tom shrugged. 

“What a lightning storm!” Tom thundered. 

“Let’s go help out at the soup kitchen,” Tom volunteered. 

“I love making baskets!” Tom said craftily. 

“I like generic goods.” Tom said. 

“Out of curiosity, did any of you grow up with Tom Swifties in the house? “ Tom asked openly in the salon.