Questions tagged [humor]
Questions about humorous expressions, jokes, puns, etc.
117
questions
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 ...
3
votes
1
answer
512
views
What is this form of humor called? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Is there a name for this type of sentence structure: “She looks as though she's been poured into her clothes, and forgot to say 'when'”?
I'm providing ...
9
votes
1
answer
20k
views
"After all 7 8 9" joke?
I know that it is very important to be aware of "hidden meanings" of words and phrases. (Especially if the meaning is sexual.) That is why I love Stephen Colbert's "The Word" segments and usually ...
18
votes
11
answers
2k
views
Colorful term for someone with a long-overdue library book [closed]
I'm trying to find a humorous term for someone who still has an overdue library book after a number of years. I first came up with "delinquent lendee", but I'm sure there's something more apropos or ...
10
votes
5
answers
3k
views
What does humor-challenged mean?
When describing a person as humor-challenged, what does it mean?
4
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Word for a false definition used for comedic effect
Is there a word for a false definition given in jest?
I don't know if such a word exists, but I'm interested to know it if it does.
An example of what I mean would be:
Politics - a latin word ...
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,...
4
votes
1
answer
258
views
Is there a term for expressions usually rendered as names but are meant to be humorous?
The expressions about which I am asking are used often on "Prairie Home Companion" when the narrator delivers a list of "fake" credits at the end of the show or at the end of a comic bit.
For example,...
7
votes
5
answers
18k
views
What does “Stick it up one’s jumper” mean? Why is it funny?
I saw the phrase “Stick something up one’s jumper” in Jeffery Archer’s short story titled “Member’s Only,” in which Robin Chapman, the hero was kept waiting for 5 years and has to wait for another ...
18
votes
4
answers
22k
views
"Well paint me green and call me a cucumber! I just […]"
Well, [perform some action against me (through which I will be complacent)], and call me a [something humorous which I would then resemble]. [Sincere or feigned exclamation of a recently apparent ...
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, ...
3
votes
2
answers
3k
views
Is there a single word meaning "very funny book"?
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'...
0
votes
3
answers
258
views
Is "driving the reins" used as a deliberately erroneous phrase?
In her blog post introducing Blog Overflow, the estimable Rebecca Chernoff committed the following, uh, sentence:
Have someone driving the reigns.
After cringing (read: screaming in pain) and ...
4
votes
7
answers
11k
views
British and American slang words for immigrants?
What slang words or phrases do British/American English speakers use for (poor) immigrants?
7
votes
3
answers
326
views
Humour through repeated use of a construct, with a final variation?
I am wondering if there is any name, or well-known example, for a humoristic construct that I particularly enjoy. It is exemplified in this monolog from Pierre Desproges, directed at a woman he was ...
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?
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 ...