Questions tagged [humor]
Questions about humorous expressions, jokes, puns, etc.
109
questions
12
votes
3answers
4k views
What constitutes humor on this "i before e" coffee mug text? [closed]
I saw this writing on a coffee mug, which is supposedly popular amongst linguists:
i before e
Except after C
and also when you
heinously seize your
feisty foreign neighbor's
conceited beige heifer
...
1
vote
2answers
105 views
Is there a word for when something rhymes with a profanity [duplicate]
I am specifically thinking of the Grand Tour episode entitled "A massive hunt". Is there a word that describes this wordplay? It is not a double-entendre, nor is it a homophone.
-2
votes
1answer
83 views
I want to know why this joke is supposed to be hilarious [closed]
A couple is anxiously waiting to hear the results of a medical test for their unborn child.
The doctor says: "I will start with the good news; Your child will always find a parking space."
...
0
votes
0answers
39 views
What is the humor in "water's warm and deep" while relieving oneself?
The two men halted at the edge of the canal, hiked their tunics, then
fumbled with their loincloths. Soon two arcs were gurgling across the
filmy surface. “Hmm,” Xinemus said. “The water’s warm.” Even
...
1
vote
0answers
48 views
Humorous mis-spelling of "spell checker"? [closed]
When I back a spelling mistake I tend to blame it on the spear chucker. Some get the attempt at humour, but it escapes others.
Can anyone supply a more humorous mis-spelling of "spell checker&...
0
votes
1answer
297 views
Meaning of "That's Easy for You to Say" in a Specific Context
Generally speaking, the phrase "That's easy for you to say" is used when one needs to say that things aren't as simple for him as some other person suggests.
The definition clearly suggests ...
0
votes
0answers
32 views
Examples of people that have really low name recogniton?
Not exactly sure how to phrase the title, but here's the sentence I'm asking about:
Our job? Somehow get XXXXX, (a candidate with less name recognition than _____ ) to the top of the polls.
I was ...
0
votes
1answer
72 views
Is there a word or phrase for using overspecific, incorrect language intentionally?
A comedian I like calls vampires "Draculas", with the specificity as well as the incorrectness (there is only one Dracula, but many vampires) being a source of humor. Is there a word for ...
1
vote
5answers
180 views
What is an example of a “clean” redivider?
Most redividers are vulgar or rude in some way, for example
therapist -> the rapist
pen island -> penis land
an album cover -> anal bum cover
I am looking for a "clean" example of ...
2
votes
1answer
70 views
How would a native speaker react to the proverbial phrase: "Life is lethal"?
Would it sound completely wrong?
Would it be understood humoristically?
Would "deadly" be better?
It's an attempt to translate the humoristic German sentence:
Das Leben ist tödlich.
I often ...
0
votes
1answer
102 views
Couldn't understand the humour
Gandhi went in his loincloth to Buckingham Palace and met the king. Later, when somebody asked him if he felt that was proper, Gandhi replied: "The king had enough for both of us."
Full article: ...
1
vote
3answers
1k views
Is there an expression that describes looking for something that probably isn't there, or looking in unlikely places for a solution [duplicate]
I am looking for an idiom or phrase that describes, in a humorous or funny way, the act of looking for something that probably isnt't there, or the act of looking for a solution in a place where it is ...
1
vote
1answer
61 views
What is the 'evident pun' in Moonchild?
Recently, a friend sent me this passage from Aleister Crowley's 1917 novel Moonchild:
“Dinner was served; the Poltergeist supplied the conversation. Never before had he been so light, so genial, so ...
4
votes
1answer
460 views
Meaning of the joke about the fish and the dam [closed]
There is the joke.
-What did the fish say when he ran into the wall?
-Dam.
Could someone explain it to me, please?
As far as I can tell the joke is all about the intended pun: the dam sounds similar ...
1
vote
1answer
174 views
Question for an aggressive humor : You can't unload a truckload of bowling balls with a pitchfork
I found an humor while reading an essay. But I can't understand the reason why it is funny. Does it need some background knowledge to understand it? I know only it is a kind of sick humor. Could you ...
4
votes
2answers
499 views
What do you call faking to speak a foreign language?
You can watch examples of this in the following Danny Kaye video that compiles scenes from several of his movies:
Fan Tribute - Danny Kaye: Master of Many Many Tongues...Indeed
Or in Chaplin's "The ...
3
votes
2answers
178 views
Is there a name for this specific category of humor?
I've attempted a few searches, but the terminology escapes me. Is there a simple term or phrase that defines this type of humor? I don't think it's redirected comedy but suspect the word "literal" may ...
2
votes
2answers
101 views
What is a word that means contrary and funny
I am trying to describe my sense of humor to be contrary and funny, a bit silly and irreverent (not choosing between 2 choices but making my own choice), and not disrespectfully so. I thought about "...
2
votes
6answers
2k views
Term for a joke with a missing punchline
What do you call a joke that has a punchline which as been emphatically implied through omission, as in...
[Comedian peeling banana, saying...]
"one skin, two skin, three skin, (pregnant pause)....
1
vote
2answers
750 views
Best word for blunt, honest humor where you say something shocking to get a laugh?
What's the best word for the type of humor where you state something very honestly and bluntly with the intent to be a little shocking and a little humorous? Potentially because people don't expect a ...
0
votes
1answer
680 views
Out on a tear last night - meaning?
I've bumped into a great pun from the Marx Brothers' Night at the Opera (transcript)
I didn't get the reference/joke/idiom on "out on a tear last night".
Fiorello: No, that's no good, too. (they ...
0
votes
1answer
88 views
word similar to obfuscation, used for comedy
there is a word, or perhaps a type of comedy, where simple things are described using terms that are correct but needlessly complicated or absurd for various effects. I am reminded by comics from ...
0
votes
1answer
319 views
What is “warm and flat water”?
I heard the expression 'warm and flat water' in the British film when someone gives another water saying
There you go, warm and flat.
I was told that I can use 'flat drink' to the drinks in ...
3
votes
1answer
2k views
Is there a specific term for humourous repetition where the repeated thing is only funny through context?
I've tried searching for terms relating to humourous repetition, but the only term I can find is "repetition". And that's absolutely fine, I don't mind referring to it as such if necessary, ...
1
vote
0answers
50 views
Term for new or inappropriate phrases that appear when you remove the spaces between words?
I'm looking for a term, if it exists at all, that describes a new word or phrase that appears when you remove the spaces from a phrase.
Lots of websites have fallen into this trap, for example:
Old ...
0
votes
1answer
911 views
Should I use "the John" or "the john" when referring to the slang phrase for toilet?
Should I capitalize the "j" in John when referring to a toilet as "the john." The same goes for lazy Susan and other words that are also names.
2
votes
1answer
178 views
What comic device is based on unexpected changes in meaning? [duplicate]
To be a really good lover, then, one must be strong and yet tender. How strong? I suppose being able to lift fifty pounds should do it.
Woody Allen
I am not asking specifically about the ludicrous ...
1
vote
2answers
9k views
Toasters don't toast toast, toast toasts toast, or does toast toast toast? [closed]
I saw this funny meme from someeecards:
It has me a little confused: To me it sounds like toast toasts toast, not toast toast toast. Is this meme wrong or am I missing something Either they (toast) ...
1
vote
1answer
175 views
Word for purposeful misnomer
I've been looking for a word all day with a very specific definition, It is very similar to a misnomer, yet intentional and usually through unreality to describe something humorously, E.g. "Horse ...
0
votes
1answer
221 views
What's the meaning of "you should worry"? [duplicate]
According to Cambridge Dictionary,
they should worry! (humorous)
said about or to someone who clearly has no need to worry:
She should worry! She hasn't a problem in the world.
How come? Is it ...
2
votes
2answers
142 views
Is there a technical term for a humorous word or phrase?
Is there a technical term for a humorous word or phrase?
There are some humorous words or phrases in English.
For example:
"His ample girth" for "His big stomach"
"Her brood" for "Her young ...
0
votes
2answers
3k views
Which literary device is used in these Thoreau quotes?
I am reading Walden by Henry David Thoreau and he likes word play. Specifically he likes to make silly analogies between things that aren’t usually put together. I am wondering what type of literary ...
3
votes
3answers
544 views
Is there a term for reversing phrases, usually for comedic effect?
For example, I say to a roommate, "I wish I could get caught up on my homework so I can start dating again," to which he replies, "I wish I could get caught up on my dating so I can start doing ...
0
votes
2answers
334 views
Where is the humour in the following citation?
The sentence below comes from Word Smart II: How to Build a More Educated Vocabulary.
CONFOUND v (kun FOUND)
to bewilder; to amaze; to throw into confusion
The newborn baby's ability to ...
6
votes
3answers
726 views
Word for a phrase that by ambiguity could be accidentally self-deprecating
There is a literary technique in comedies where a person says something intending for it to be reassuring and confident, but their words are humorous because when interpreted differently, the phrase ...
3
votes
1answer
658 views
Is this phrase an example of irony?
The dictionary defines irony as "the use of words to express something other than and especially the opposite of the literal meaning."
I also understand that irony is a form of humor. This phrase ...
38
votes
16answers
13k views
Verb meaning "to alter someone's famous saying"
I'm looking for a single verb, or at least a succinct way of saying that you are slightly, but intentionally, modifying a famous phrase.
For example, if I were to refer to Alexander the Great's ...
5
votes
1answer
260 views
Insertion of over-specific detail to humorous effect
In Gilmore Girls, describing a debutante ball:
"It's like animals being up for bid at the county fair, except sheep don't wear hoop skirts."
This kind of over-the-top, facetious detail is used ...
20
votes
6answers
6k views
What type of humor would racist and sexist jokes be categorized into?
I did not major in literary studies so I do not readily recognize the nuances that are used to distinguish between the various concepts.
It doesn't seem to fit insult comedy since it is rarely told ...
2
votes
1answer
113 views
Is there a specific word for a humorous device wherein after a reaction, more information changes the meaning of the phrase
I found it hard to summarise this in the title, and I thought a few examples would illustrate what I mean best:
"Well known local celebrities include Alan Bennett and Barry Cryer" (lead up)
...
3
votes
1answer
523 views
Please explain the answer of a joke: "hors d'oeuvre"
This was part of the Uxbridge English Dictionary part of ISIHAC (I'm sorry I haven't a clue). The word was 'hors d'oeuvre' and the definition was 'ladies who hang around diesel pumps'. I don't get it.
69
votes
3answers
16k views
What is so bad about puns?
Many times I've heard of 'pun intended' or 'pun not intended', which I see as a form of excuse in the English-spoken world. However, I can not wrap my head around why are you constantly excusing/...
23
votes
3answers
8k views
What does this joke between Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra mean?
I have been listening to Dean Martin Pandora radio lately and there is a song medley between Sinatra and Martin. During each song they have little quips back and fourth, and there is one that I don't ...
0
votes
1answer
186 views
Meaning of "it isn't the initial cost, it's the humidity"
I was reading Babbitt by Sinclair Lewis and came across a quote I cannot understand:
But they all felt that it was rather in bad taste for Orville Jones — and he not recognized as one of the wits ...
9
votes
1answer
2k views
What type of wordplay joins two phrases together on a single syllable?
During a South Park episode, Wendy sings a song with a specific type of wordplay in which she ends a sentence and starts a new one with a common word or syllable. This gives the lyrics a double ...
3
votes
1answer
113 views
The Guerrilla Comma
The other day, a car wielding a bumper sticker pulled past me. The sticker said I should:
Love people, prepare them yummy food.
We stopped at a light, the car ahead of me. Taking a closer look, I ...
-2
votes
1answer
150 views
How could I reponse if my American friend joked "americans are foolish; we have no idea about geography?" [closed]
Last time my American friend and I were talking about an African country. He happened to know nothing about the country. Then he joked "Americans are foolish; we have no idea about geography?"
I ...
6
votes
2answers
478 views
Is there a word to describe mocking a list by extending it?
For instance, the quote from Douglas Adams:
“In those days spirits were brave, the stakes were high, men were real men, women were real women and small furry creatures from Alpha Centauri were real ...
11
votes
3answers
129k views
What's a the word for people who make fun of themselves?
I don't mean people with low self esteem.
But there are people who feel happy at being able to make other people laugh at their own expense. I remember someone telling me there is a word for them, I ...
1
vote
1answer
109 views
Is saying the Queen grew up in a "council house" a very dry joke?
In this CBC article from before the Brexit, they discuss what view Queen Elizabeth II might have of Brexit, stating,
But that hasn't stopped some from speculating how the Queen would vote. "As an ...
