Editing 'Pataphysics (section)

== Etymology ==
The word {{'}}''pataphysics'' is a [[Contraction (grammar)|contracted]] formation that derives from the Greek {{lang|grc|τὰ ἐπὶ τὰ μεταφυσικά}} (''tà epì tà metaphusiká'').{{sfnp|Jarry|1996|p=21}} It is a phrase/expression that mean "that which is above [[metaphysics]]". It is itself a sly variation on the title of [[Aristotle]]'s ''[[Metaphysics (Aristotle)|Metaphysics]]'', which in Greek is "{{lang|grc|τὰ μετὰ τὰ φυσικά}}" (''tà metà tà phusiká'').

{{anchor|apostrophe_matter}}
Jarry mandated the inclusion of the [[apostrophe]] in both the words 'pataphysique and 'pataphysics "...&nbsp;to avoid a simple pun".{{sfnp|Jarry|1996|p=21}} The words ''pataphysician'' or ''pataphysicist'' and the adjective ''pataphysical'' should not include the apostrophe. Only when consciously referring to Jarry's science itself should the word ''<nowiki/>'pataphysics'' carry the apostrophe.{{sfnp|Hugill|2012|p=8}} 

The term ''pataphysics'' is a [[paronym]] (considered a kind of [[pun]] in French) of ''metaphysics''. Since the apostrophe in no way affects the meaning or pronunciation of ''pataphysics'', this spelling of the term is a sly notation, to the reader, suggesting a variety of puns that listeners may hear, or be aware of. These puns include ''patte à physique'' ("physics paw"), as interpreted by Jarry scholars Keith Beaumont and [[Roger Shattuck]], ''pas ta physique'' ("not your physics"), and ''pâte à physique'' ("physics paste").