Questions tagged [humor]
Questions about humorous expressions, jokes, puns, etc.
15
questions
26
votes
3
answers
9k
views
Make like a banana
In my area, it's not unusual to hear expressions like
I'm going to make like a banana and split.
...make like a tree and leave.
...make like a baby and head out.
...make like a prom ...
70
votes
3
answers
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/...
32
votes
5
answers
9k
views
What does this mean: 'Chuck Norris can lead a horse to water AND make it drink'? Why is it funny?
Chuck Norris can lead a horse to water and make it drink.
I read this on http://chucknorrisfacts.com. What I think this sentence means, is: Chuck Norris can take his horse to where the water is and ...
16
votes
3
answers
163k
views
Please explain this joke about two nuns in a bath [closed]
I've heard this joke several times, but I'm ashamed to say I really cannot understand it. It just doesn't seem to make any sense however I look at it.
I have a suspicion that it is supposed to be rude,...
15
votes
13
answers
29k
views
Phrase for criticism/insults concealed with humor
Passive aggressive people will sometimes veil insulting, critical, derogatory or generally aggressive comments with humor. The patina of humor makes the comment seem like a joke, not to be taken ...
12
votes
2
answers
6k
views
What is funny in this paraprosdokian?
I was reading the wiki page about paraprosdokians when I come across this sentence.
One morning I shot an elephant in my pajamas, how he got in my pajamas, I don't know.
What is funny about it?
11
votes
3
answers
147k
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 ...
64
votes
2
answers
16k
views
What is the first part of a joke called?
How does one refer to the first part of a joke?
The follow up is often referred to as a punchline but I'm unsure how to refer to the first part. Is it a 'joke' or does a 'joke' include the punchline?
54
votes
10
answers
31k
views
What is this method of joking about a morbid situation called?
What word or phrase could be used to describe a joke about something serious or bad? It isn't meant as humor in the typical sense, but as sort of a brave, different flavor of humor between two friends....
13
votes
6
answers
3k
views
Changing a quotation so that the original is recognised, but has been given a new meaning
I didn't know how to phrase my title to make it meaningful to anyone, and I can't really explain it now, so I shall use an example:
The opening phrase on the DSGB website is "It's counting, Jim, ...
10
votes
3
answers
658
views
What is the best term to categorize a lolcat image and text?
I've seen the captions described as a dialect, patois, "kitty pidgin" and language play which is well and good but doesn't get to the key visual aspect (silly/cute/adorable cats). Wikipedia offers ...
9
votes
1
answer
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 ...
6
votes
1
answer
933
views
Intentional double negation
Is there a name for this manner of purposely speaking in double negatives, e.g.
I wouldn't say no to a cup of tea!
I've noticed it as a habit of some people, perhaps often going along with a ...
2
votes
6
answers
4k
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)....
2
votes
3
answers
2k
views
What is it called when someone uses a slightly absurd specific example of something to be humorous?
For example, "We're competing for attention with teenagers who would rather be playing Angry Birds," or "You need to explain this in a way that your grandmother who thinks the internet works by magic ...