| Sumario: | The aim of this paper is to provide a new theoretical framework for the understanding of an otherwise controversial Homeric notion: kertomia. So far, all systematic treatments of this term have been based on the model of classical definition, and sought to find a set of essential criteria which would account for all its instances in Homer. Given its very wide application, to phenomena so diverse as gentle, off-record mockery in Il. 24.649-658, and playful teasing of insects in Il. 16.259-265, I argue that such an approach will never do justice to all its Homeric instances. My paper therefore seeks to provide a new way of describing this notion, making use of prototype theory developed by cognitive linguists. I argue that this theoretical framework is capable of accommodating all its diverse meanings without sacrificing the important nuances of any of them.
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