Play upon words is a type of wordplay in which the speaker or writer uses words to create a humorous effect. It is often used in literature, poetry, and comedy. The term 'play upon words' is derived from the Latin phrase 'ludere verbum, ' which translates to 'to play with words.' The crossword solution for this term is 'PUN, ' which is an example of a play upon words. A PUN is a play on words that uses two words with similar sounds but different meanings to create a humorous effect.