The epigram’s a pithy saying,
Full of paradox and wit.
The epithet’s a brief description,
A clever name that scores a hit.
The epigraph’s a type of preface,
Like a lead-in—just a bit.
The epilogue serves as a notice
Indicating time to quit.
The epitaph adorns a tombstone,
Related to who’s under it.
All five are commonly confused,
But in each usage, four don’t fit.
(An earlier version was first printed
in the language quarterly Verbatim)