3

Sometimes you read a book that has you convulsing with laughter from the moment you pick it up. For me, one of those books was Catch-22 by Joseph Heller. What do you call this?

Perhaps there isn't a single word or standard phrase for it but I'm convinced there is and I just can't remember it. It would be much like potboiler means a poor quality book, the kind of pulp rubbish people buy in airports.

Improve this question
2
  • 2
    "You have to read Catch-22. It's a riot!"
    – mkennedy
    Commented Aug 7, 2011 at 0:50
  • @mkennedy - Add usage example or a citation, and you have a decent answer. It's only a single word request.
    – z7sg Ѫ
    Commented Aug 7, 2011 at 10:05

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
8

The term doesn't really solely apply to books, but I would say that the book is a sidesplitter:

a joke that seems extremely funny

Similar words to this (to describe things that are very funny, though maybe not necessarily a book) are:

  • riot (or "laugh riot")
  • scream
  • knee-slapper
  • thigh-slapper
Improve this answer
2
  • I thought of side-splitter myself but it didn't feel right for a whole book. Riot is my favourite one!
    – z7sg Ѫ
    Commented Aug 7, 2011 at 10:07
  • ... and rib-tickler too.
    – prash
    Commented Aug 7, 2011 at 10:51
0

What is wrong with "very funny" for a very funny book? Other alternatives could be, hilarious, and uproarious. As mentioned above, riot, and side-splitter also qualify.

Improve this answer

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .