Jokes, Humor, and Laughter
Have you ever stopped to think about what makes you laugh? What is humor, anyway? It isn’t really something that can be analysed, or taught. Some like real “in your face” obvious humor and others prefer more subtle stuff. Which are you? Basically, though, it all comes down to the individual. If you laugh, a joke is funny and if you don’t, it’s not.
We all like a joke and a good laugh but when I set out to find out exactly what ‘humour’ (or humor) is, I didn’t come up with an answer. In fact, trying to work this out only threw up more questions.
Clearly, humour varies between countries and cultures. What is regarded as funny in US may not be seen as amusing in India, and the difference between UK humour and the US is often amazingly. I have often received ‘funny’ emails from friends in US and not been able to see the joke. It isn’t because I lack a sense of humour. I just don’t get US jokes at times. I guess you could call it a cultural thing, but with more and more exposure to the internet, I’m learning.
So, what is humour? How do you write something funny, or tell a joke that gets people laughing? Part of it seems to lie in the unexpected. If we don’t get what we expect at the end of a piece of writing, or a story, and it doesn’t shock, it might well amuse. Misunderstandings are often funny too.
For example the very simple child’s joke:
My dog’s got no nose?
How does he smell?
Awful.
This one is funny because the answer to the second question is unexpected, but the whole joke is based on a misunderstanding.
The best way to demonstrate humour is to tell a few jokes.
1. My brother said he knew a man with a wooden leg called James Brown.
I asked him what the other one was called.
2. Patient: I get a pain in my eye whenever I drink tea.
Doctor: Well, take the spoon out of the cup.
3. Son: Dad, what’s an idiot?
Father: An idiot is a person who tries to explain something at great length and in great detail so that the person who is listening to him can’t possibly understand what he is talking about and doesn’t really answer the question anyway. Do you understand what I mean?
Son: No
These are very simple jokes that should work over all cultures but if you like something a bit more complex take a look here:
Monica Lewinsky turns into a ’soft, silky lady’ if you rearrange her.
A Dirty Verse About Seagulls And Windows
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Tags: funny joke, humor, humour, joke, laugh, laughter, short joke, story, tall story
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January 29th, 2009 at 7:05 am
Louie this is a great article on my favorite subject. I find that I laugh at myself more than anything. I think once you reach that point in your life you can safely say your “home” lol. You are one tremendous writer Louie.
January 29th, 2009 at 7:17 am
You have a gift I must say fab article, loved this one.
January 29th, 2009 at 7:34 am
This was well-written and thoughtful; a far cry from that one on the hot content list. What a disgrace that is. Lately, I haven’t been telling people that I publish on Triond, because I’m ashamed of what’s in the hot content list.
Thanks for the cheering up this morning. I was surprised that they left ‘humour’ spelt in that way. The editors usually change things to the US spelling, don’t they?
January 29th, 2009 at 8:07 am
Thanks for all the encouraging comments.
Anne: I deliberately mixed spelling of the word humour/humor because I mentioned different humour in US and UK so I was pleased they didn’t change it.
I agree about the hot content list. There has been some dreadful and often barely literate stuff on there just lately. It makes Triond a laughing stock in the writing world!
I am considering changing my pen name on Triond so that it doesn’t adversely affect my reputation as an author. The link could affect my book sales.
January 29th, 2009 at 9:53 am
It is the way you tell them Louie!!
I agree with Anne too, some of what has been in the hot content lately is not reflecting the true content of Triond.
I wrote to the editor and told them never to change my work from UK to US English unless I requested it, and they have honoured my request.
I am seriously considering the same Louie, I feel the same about the User listing too. So if you see Blonde Nobrain in the hot USER listing you will know that after working here daily since May 08, and not uploaded the family pics to get there, I will have finally my name in lights, ‘cos that it hasn’t worked using my real name! LOL rant over.
Great article with lots of interesting facts and fun. Having read all of your others I recommend others to go and read them!
January 29th, 2009 at 11:51 am
Oh i like the father and son thing–quite a reflection of some situations sometimes—
January 29th, 2009 at 1:40 pm
Well written and makes some good points.
January 29th, 2009 at 2:06 pm
Good article. I have often thought about the differences in what people find funny. I don’t often laugh at jokes, but I do at funny situations or witty dialogue.
January 29th, 2009 at 2:28 pm
Great article, Louie.
January 29th, 2009 at 4:28 pm
lol…put a smile on my face….
January 29th, 2009 at 7:49 pm
As well as interesting that was a fun read!
January 29th, 2009 at 9:54 pm
Louie, I absolutely LOVE the topic. Write more on this and give us more jokes! We cannot laugh enough. Brian
January 29th, 2009 at 11:43 pm
I loved the other article you wrote about humor over a year ago. I laughed for days. This one is both funny and informative, however. Keep up the good work.
Take care & G♥d bless.
January 30th, 2009 at 12:33 am
brilliant article, gave me a laugh XD!
January 30th, 2009 at 2:38 am
Well written and made me smile. Thank you!
BTW, you’re right–British and American humor are different and that very fact can lead to mis-understandings galore. Who was it that said that we are two countries separated by a common language?
Regards,
Inna
January 30th, 2009 at 3:03 am
does “sarcasm” carry the definition of humor? i mean, i have this friend whose really sarcastic, but everytime he does it, most of the people laugh. but at times, i don’t… really is your point, i guess. humour does vary.
thanks for this one.
-jhenz-
January 31st, 2009 at 4:01 am
You little tinker, you beat me to it. I was half way through writing a very similar article. Ah well c’est la vie.
Your article was excellent, as usual.
February 5th, 2009 at 1:25 am
All those jokes are so cute! Nice article*
Blessings.
Sincerely,
-Liane Schmidt.