A non sequitur (IPA: /nɑn 'sɛkqwɪtə/) is a conversational and literary device, often used for comical purposes (as opposed to its use in formal logic). It is a comment which, due to its lack of meaning relative to the comment it follows, is absurd to the point of being humorous or confusing. Its use can be deliberate or unintentional. Literally, it is Latin for "it does not follow." In other literature, a non sequitur can denote an abrupt, illogical, unexpected or absurd turn of plot or dialogue not normally associated with or appropriate to that preceding it. IPA may refer to: The International Phonetic Alphabet or India Pale Ale ... Non sequitur is Latin for it does not follow. ... Latin is an ancient Indo-European language originally spoken in Latium, the region immediately surrounding Rome. ... Logic (from ancient Greek λόγος (logos), meaning reason) is the study of arguments. ...

Non sequiturs often appear to be disconnected or random comments, or random changes in subject, especially socially inappropriate ones. When non sequiturs are used frequently this can be called "absurd humor".

The non sequitur can be understood as the converse of cliché. To illustrate: in theatre, traditional comedy and drama depend on the ritualization—that is, the predictability—of human emotional experiences. In contrast, the theatre of the absurd depends upon the disjunction—that is, the unpredictability—of that experience. To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... The Theatre of the Absurd or Le Théâtre de lAbsurde is a phrase used in reference to particular plays written by a number of primarily European playwrights in the late 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s, as well as to the style of theatre which has evolved from their work. ...

See also

• Dadaism
• Surrealism