The basis of Plato's style being for the most part informal conversation, certain elements natural and appropriate to this atmosphere may be looked for and found. These include: (1) colloquialisms in the accepted sense—short phrases, or special uses of words, associated with informal or comic style; (2) phrases of poetic type, probably quotations or adaptations, used frequently with burlesque effect; (3) proverbial or semi-proverbial matter; (4) word-play of various types. The above groups overlap at certain points, but the classification may serve fairly well to set forth the material in question.