What Does Hysteron-Proteron Mean?

The hysteron proteron is a rhetorical device. It occurs when the first key word of the idea refers to something that happens temporally later than the second key word. The goal is to call attention to the more important idea by placing it first.

Why do authors use hysteron proteron?

Hysteron proteron is a rhetorical technique used in some kinds of literature and other communications that involves reversing a chronological sequence to invert a phrase. This technique can be used for poetic effect, or in the construction of various idioms in a given language.

What is hysteron proteron in latin?

History and Etymology for hysteron proteron

Late Latin, from Greek, literally, (the) later earlier, (the) latter first.