Final answer:
Erma Bombeck uses hyperbole, an exaggeration for rhetorical effect, as a literary device to achieve humor in her writing, such as in "Elusive Rest Area". This technique exaggerates a point to the extent that it becomes comical, thereby entertaining the reader while also often making a critical observation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The literary device used by Erma Bombeck to achieve humor in "Elusive Rest Area" is hyperbole. This technique involves making an exaggeration for rhetorical effect, which is often employed to create a humorous or ironic tone.
For example, when a writer describes something as being so loud that it 'woke the dead,' this is not literally true but serves to underscore the extreme noise.
Hyperbole can be very effective in humor because it emphasizes a point in a way that is so overstated, it becomes amusing. Moreover, when used skillfully, as Bombeck does, it adds a layer of entertainment while also making an observation or criticism about a particular subject.
In memes, hyperbole works in a similar fashion, often leading to a form of humor that connects with a wide audience due to its exaggerated portrayal of common experiences or feelings.