Humor: A Literary Device

Etymology of Humor

The etymology of the word “humor” traces back to the Latin term “umor,” derived from “humere,” meaning “to be moist” or “wet.”

In ancient medical theories, humor referred to bodily fluids, such as blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile, which were believed to influence a person’s temperament and overall health.

This concept was prominent in the works of ancient Greek and Roman physicians, including Hippocrates and Galen, who posited that imbalances in these bodily fluids could lead to changes in a person’s disposition and well-being.

Meanings of Humor

Aspect	Meaning
Physiological Balance	Historically, humor referred to the balance of bodily fluids in ancient medical theories, influencing a person’s temperament and health.
Temperamental Disposition	In a broader sense, humor is associated with one’s mood, disposition, or emotional state, often reflecting a sense of cheerfulness or the ability to find things amusing.
Quality of Amusement	Humor is also used to describe the quality of being funny, amusing, or entertaining, encompassing various forms of comedy and wit.
Coping Mechanism	Humor can serve as a coping mechanism in challenging or distressing situations, allowing individuals to find lightheartedness in adversity.
Cultural and Contextual Variations	The interpretation of humor can vary across cultures and contexts, with different societies and time periods having distinct forms and understandings.

Definition of Humor

Humor, in a broad sense, refers to the capacity to find amusement, laughter, or entertainment in situations, events, or expressions, often stemming from a sense of incongruity, absurdity, or wit.

It is a universal human trait encompassing various forms of comedic expression, from satire and wordplay to irony and slapstick comedy.

It serves as a significant social and psychological function, promoting social bonding, coping with stress, and offering commentary on human behavior and societal norms.

Types of Humor

Type	Concise Definition
Slapstick	Involves physical comedy, often with exaggerated and absurd actions, such as pratfalls, pies in the face, and over-the-top physical stunts.
Satire	Uses irony, sarcasm, and wit to criticize or mock individuals, institutions, or societal issues, often with a moral or political message.
Sarcasm	Involves saying the opposite of what you mean, often with a tone of insincerity, used to mock or tease.
Puns	Wordplay jokes that exploit multiple meanings or similar-sounding words for comedic effect, relying on double entendre or language ambiguity.
Observational Comedy	Comedians find in everyday situations, pointing out the absurdity in mundane life and common experiences.
Parody	Involves imitating or exaggerating a specific work, genre, or style for humorous effect, often seen in movies like “Airplane!” and “Scary Movie.”
Dark Humor	Deals with taboo or sensitive subjects like death, illness, or tragedy in a humorous manner, often characterized by shock value and irreverence.
Self-Deprecating Humor	Individuals make fun of themselves, highlighting their own flaws, mistakes, or idiosyncrasies.
Wordplay	Involves clever manipulation of language, often through puns, anagrams, or other linguistic devices.
Irony	When there’s a disconnect between what is said and meant, often with a humorous or satirical twist, including situational irony with unexpected outcomes.
Absurdism	Revels in the irrational and bizarre, defying logic and reason, creating comically surreal scenarios.
Cringe Comedy	Makes the audience feel uncomfortable or embarrassed for the characters or performers, as seen in shows like “The Office” and “Curb Your Enthusiasm.”
One-Liners	Brief, clever jokes or witticisms that get straight to the point, often with a punchline.
Gallows Humor	Similar to dark humor, it makes light of serious or grim situations, often in the context of death or tragedy.
Nonsensical Humor	Embraces absurdity and often lacks a logical or coherent structure, as seen in Monty Python’s work.
Topical/Political Humor	Comedians and satirists use current events, politics, or social issues as the basis, often seen on late-night talk shows.
Wit	Involves quick, clever, and intellectually amusing remarks, often relying on wordplay and sharp, concise humor.
Cultural/Regional Humor	Specific to a particular culture, region, or group, often relying on inside jokes or references understood by that specific audience.
Shock Humor	Aims to surprise and offend the audience with provocative or explicit content, often used for shock value.

Common Examples of Humor

Humor is a fundamental part of human interaction, and you can find it in various forms in everyday life. Here are some common examples in daily situations:

1. Jokes and Puns: Sharing jokes or puns with friends, family, or colleagues can lead to laughter and light-hearted moments. These can be simple one-liners or longer stories.
2. Sarcasm: Playfully using sarcasm in conversations to make fun of a situation, person, or yourself can create humor. Just be sure the other person understands it’s all in good fun.
3. Observational Humor: Pointing out the quirks or absurdities of everyday life can lead to humorous insights. Comedians like Jerry Seinfeld excel in this type of humor.
4. Self-Deprecating Humor: Making fun of yourself in a light-hearted manner can be relatable and endearing. People often enjoy someone who doesn’t take themselves too seriously.
5. Social Media Memes: Memes are a popular form on social media platforms. They often use relatable images and text to comment on various aspects of life.
6. Funny Videos and Internet Content: Viral videos, comedic sketches, and other internet content can be a great source of humor. Platforms like YouTube and TikTok are filled with funny videos.
7. Comedy Shows and Stand-Up: Watching stand-up comedy, sitcoms, or comedy movies can provide a dose of laughter. Comedians often address relatable situations and share humorous anecdotes.
8. Pranks: Playing harmless pranks on friends or family members can be a source of amusement, as long as they’re in good spirits and not hurtful.
9. Cartoons and Animated Shows: Cartoons often use absurdity, wordplay, and visual gags to create humor. These are not just for kids; adults can enjoy them too.
10. Funny Advertisements: Some advertisements use humor to make their products or services memorable. These can be amusing and provide a break from the typical advertising messages.
11. Office Humor: Workplace humor, such as office pranks, inside jokes, and humorous emails, can lighten the atmosphere and build camaraderie among coworkers.
12. Family and Friend Traditions: Many families and friend groups have humorous traditions or inside jokes that resurface during gatherings or events.
13. Unexpected Situations: Sometimes, humor arises from unexpected or awkward situations that catch us off guard, like slipping on a banana peel (a classic example of slapstick type).
14. Pets and Animal Antics: Pets and animals can be a constant source of amusement with their playful behaviors and sometimes comical expressions.
15. Wordplay: Clever use of language, such as witty wordplay, double entendres, or clever puns, can lead to humorous moments in conversations.
16. Cultural References: References to popular culture, including movies, music, and TV shows, often serve as its basis, especially when shared with people who are familiar with the references.
17. Texting and Messaging: Communicating through text messages and emojis allows for playful banter and humorous exchanges.
18. Food and Dining: Creative food presentation or humorous food-related events, like a surprise in a meal, can elicit laughter.

Shakespearean Humor

Type	Explanation	Example
Pun	A word or phrase with a double meaning that creates humor through clever linguistic manipulation.	In “Romeo and Juliet,” Mercutio’s line “Nay, I am the very pink of courtesy” plays on the double meaning of “pink” (a color and a symbol of excellence).
Wordplay	Clever and witty use of language, including metaphors, similes, and allusions, to add depth and humor to dialogues.	In “As You Like It,” Rosalind says, “I do desire we may be better strangers,” using a paradox to create humor.
Sarcasm	Ironic and biting remarks to mock or criticize others, often in a humorous manner, frequently used in Shakespearean comedies and tragedies.	In “Hamlet,” Hamlet’s sarcastic remark, “Thrift, thrift, Horatio! The funeral baked meats did coldly furnish forth the marriage tables,” mocks the hasty wedding.
Irony	The use of dramatic irony, situational irony, and verbal irony to create humor through the discrepancy between what the audience knows and what the characters believe or say.	In “Othello,” Iago’s false claims of honesty and loyalty are examples of verbal irony, creating dramatic tension and irony.
Malapropism	The unintentional use of a word that sounds similar to the word intended but has a completely different, often humorous, meaning.	In “Much Ado About Nothing,” Dogberry says, “Our watch, sir, have indeed comprehended two auspicious persons.” He means “apprehended.”
Physical Comedy	Elements of physical comedy, including humorous actions, exaggerated gestures, or comic scenes involving characters.	In “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” the mischievous Puck’s antics, such as turning Bottom into a donkey, create physical comedy.
Satire	Critiquing and mocking social and political norms using humor, with satirical elements often found in Shakespearean comedies.	In “Twelfth Night,” Malvolio’s self-importance and absurdity are satirized through his yellow stockings and cross-gartering.
Foolery	The use of characters known as “fools” to employ their wit and humor to comment on the actions and personalities of other characters.	In “King Lear,” the Fool serves as a source of wisdom and humor, offering commentary on the king’s actions and decisions.
Double Entendre	Phrases with two meanings, one of which is often sexual or suggestive, used for humorous effect.	In “Measure for Measure,” Lucio’s use of double entendre when describing Mistress Overdone’s profession is a notable example.
Slapstick	Elements of physical comedy involving exaggerated actions and humorous mishaps, found in Shakespeare’s comedies, particularly in scenes with physical humor.	In “The Comedy of Errors,” the farcical confusion involving two sets of twins leads to humorous physical mishaps and confusion.
Bawdy Humor	Characterized by sexual innuendos and risqué jokes, often found in many of Shakespeare’s comedies, with witty banter featuring sexual connotations.	In “Much Ado About Nothing,” the characters engage in witty banter with sexual undertones, especially in the “gulling” scenes.
Absurdity	Elements of absurdity and absurd situations found in plays like “Twelfth Night” and “The Comedy of Errors,” adding to the comedic nature of the works.	In “Twelfth Night,” the gender-bending disguise of Viola/Cesario creates absurd situations and humorous misunderstandings.
Mistaken Identity	A recurring theme in Shakespeare’s comedies, often leading to humorous misunderstandings and situations, as characters are confused for someone else.	In “The Comedy of Errors,” the confusion between two sets of twins with identical names leads to comical mix-ups and errors.

Suggested Readings

1. Hutcheon, Linda. Irony’s Edge: The Theory and Politics of Irony. Routledge, 1994.
2. Latta, Todd F. The Semiotics of Happiness: Rhetorical Beginnings of a Public Problem. State University of New York Press, 1999.
3. McGhee, Paul E. Understanding and Promoting the Development of Children’s Humor. Kendall/Hunt, 2013.
4. Morreall, John. Comic Relief: A Comprehensive Philosophy of Humor. Wiley-Blackwell, 2009.
5. Nilsen, Alleen Pace, and Don L. F. Nilsen. Encyclopedia of 20th-Century American Humor. Oryx Press, 2000.
6. Roberts, Edgar V. The Nature of Humor. State University of New York Press, 1994.