mystery word

[Unregistered]

There is a word in the English language (I think) - and I also think that I've heard it just once - that defines a phrase when the subject in said phrase is contrary to what that particular subject actually does - or does not do. Example: grinning cat, or singing cow (we know that cats don't actually grin and cows can't sing).

[blouen]

Do you mean ¨OXYMORON¨

like : deafening silence, poor little rich girl, cruel kindness

[redcedar]

No, I'm sure it's not an oxymoron. But it's close.
It's something to do with "contrary"

[Teia]

Blouen is right. It`s an oxymoron. You probably think of a paradox, but, in fact, it`s an oxymoron:

An oxymoron involves a combination of two contradictory or conflicting words. It is different from a paradox in that it creates its effect much more compactly, using a combination of two successive words while a paradox involves a complete statement.

[mykwyner]

The smiling cat and the singing cow are examples of anthropomorphism. anthropomorphism - Definitions from Dictionary.com

[Teia]

The smiling cat and the singing cow are examples of anthropomorphism. anthropomorphism - Definitions from Dictionary.com

Mykwyner is right. We usually say personification.

Personification, or anthropomorphism, is a figure of speech that gives inanimate objects human traits and qualities.

Personification - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia