213. Humor

See also 238. LAUGHTER ; 336. 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 382. 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 and Pantagruel , 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.