amused and to cause amusement, and, at the same time, many people tend to use such words as 'comedy, wit,' 'buffoonery,' and so on, more or less indiscriminately (Muir, 1990; XXV-XXIX) (see glossary to this paper). A good joke is one of the most repeated things in the world. Some incidents make one sad and 'funniness' makes one happy. The latter may raise a side-splitting 'he he, ha ha' laugh, a giggle, or no more than a smile. Humour is indeed a funny thing. Different people have different appetites for it and appreciate it in different ways. Within the genre of humour you have the joke book which sets out, deliberately, to be funny. Then there is inherent humour existing within writing itself, as an inseparable part. The latter is more difficult to compose.
Although English humour, French wit and the American wise-crack all differ, to a degree, wit has been described as 'cold and sometimes callous,' while humour, which at its best can be approaching the poetical, possesses warmth and sympathy. Again wit, where a person is proud of his or her own brilliance, is usually cynical, whereas humour is resigned and humble. It is not enhanced by pomposity. Unless it comes naturally like leaves to a tree, humour will not provide pleasure.
Certainly there have been trends in humour and it evolves and changes over time. A special humour often complemented by slang develops during special periods such as during World War Two. Countless expressions like, 'The best of British (luck),' and 'Sod you Jack I'm fireproof,' come to mind.
Then again, what made an ancient Egyptian laugh may not have the same effect on a present-day Chinese. Comedy comes in many forms: it can be subjective. Laughter is innate to mankind, man is a ‘laughing animal,' and even blind babies are said to smile. Although there is the childish streak in most adults, a limerick which sends a six-year-old into a fit of giggles may not have the same effect on a 12-year-old, or on an adult (Bergson, 1956; 104). Having said that, however, a group of people who are 'in the mood' will laugh at things which are not really funny or sophisticated. Some say if a wife laughs at her husband's joke then he must have a good joke — or, conversely, you can say he has a good wife.
A particular joke, even within the same culture, may bring tears of
5
amused and to cause amusement, and, at the same time, many people tend to use such words as 'comedy, wit,' 'buffoonery,' and so on, more or less indiscriminately (Muir, 1990; XXV-XXIX) (see glossary to this paper). A good joke is one of the most repeated things in the world. Some incidents make one sad and 'funniness' makes one happy. The latter may raise a side-splitting 'he he, ha ha' laugh, a giggle, or no more than a smile. Humour is indeed a funny thing. Different people have different appetites for it and appreciate it in different ways. Within the genre of humour you have the joke book which sets out, deliberately, to be funny. Then there is inherent humour existing within writing itself, as an inseparable part. The latter is more difficult to compose.
Although English humour, French wit and the American wise- crack all differ, to a degree, wit has been described as 'cold and some- times callous,' while humour, which at its best can be approaching the poetical, possesses warmth and sympathy. Again wit, where a person is proud of his or her own brilliance, is usually cynical, whereas humour is resigned and humble. It is not enhanced by pomposity. Unless it comes naturally like leaves to a tree, humour will not provide pleasure.
Certainly there have been trends in humour and it evolves and changes over time. A special humour often complemented by slang develops during special periods such as during World War Two. Countless expression like, 'The best of British (luck),' and 'Sod you Jack I'm fireproof,' come to mind.
Then again, what made an ancient Egyptian laugh may not have the same effect on a present-day Chinese. Comedy comes in many forms: it can be subjective. Laughter is innate to mankind, man is a ‘laughing animal,' and even blind babies are said to smile. Although there is the childish streak in most adults, a limerick which sends a six- year old into a fit of giggles may not have the same effect on a 12-year old, or on an adult (Bergson, 1956;104). Having said that, however, a group of people who are 'in the mood' will laugh at things which are not really funny or sophisticated. Some say if a wife laughs at her husband's joke then he must have a good joke — or, conversely, you can say he has a good wife.
A particular joke, even within the same culture, may bring tears of
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