humor

See also laughter; punning

Atticism

a concise witticism or well-turned phrase. —Atticist, n.

buffoonism

1. a tendency to amuse others by tricks, jokes, unusual gestures, and strange gestures.

2. a tendency toward coarse joking. Also buffoonery. —buffoon, n. —buffoonish, adj.

facetiae

1. amusing or witty writings and remarks.

2. coarsely witty stories or books. —facetious, adj.

jocosity

1. the habit of joking or jesting.

2. a joke or a jest.

3. the state or quality of humorousness or playfulness. —jocose, adj.

mordancy, mordacity

the condition or quality of being biting or caustic, as humor, speech, etc. See also speech. —mordant, adj.

nugae

trifles or trivia, especially light verses or sayings.

Pantagruelism

the habit of dealing with serious matters in a spirit of good and sometimes cynical good humor. [Allusion to Rabelais’ satirical novels Gargantua (1534) and Pantagruel (1532), especially to the behavior of Pantagruel, Gargantua’s huge son.] —Pantagruelian, adj.

pianologue

a humorous performance at the piano, sometimes with a verbal accompaniment by the performer.

Rabelaisian

1. a person who imitates or is an enthusiast for the works of Francois Rabelais.

2. a person given to coarse, satirical humor, like that of Rabelais. —Rabelaisian, adj.

Rabelaism

the personality or character of Rabelais, as in the use of coarse, satirical humor. Also Rabelaisianism.

reparteeist

a person skilled in the exchange of witticisms.

ribaldry

coarse, vulgar, or obscene language or joking. —ribald, adj.

satirist

1. a writer of satire.

2. a person who uses satire or makes satirical comments.