Adynaton. Pronounced ad-uh-NAY-ton, is a form of hyperbole that describes something so exaggerated, it’s impossible. It’s like saying, ‘You’ll get this project done when pigs fly,’ which means it’s highly unlikely to happen.

Why is this useful in storytelling and public speaking? Adynaton adds humor and emphasis, highlighting the implausibility of a situation which can make your message more memorable.

Here’s another example: ‘I’ll sleep when the sun stops rising.’ Clearly, we all need sleep, but this stresses the speaker’s dedication or workload.