L E S S O N 2 1 : G O O D H U M O R

HONORS ENGLISH I VOCABULARY

BANTER

• (noun) Good-humored, playful conversation.• (intrans. verb) To converse in a teasing or playful

manner.

• Example: The banter between the two comics appearing at the Rivoli is hysterically funny.

CARICATURE

• (noun) A representation, usually pictorial, which exaggerates or distorts the subject’s features to produce a comic or ridiculous effect.• (trans. verb) To depict someone in such a way.

• Example: Closk’s book is more a caricature than a biography of the President.

DROLL

• (adjective) Amusingly odd or comical.

• Example: The storyteller delighted the children with the droll tale about the Nutcracker and the Mouse King.

FACETIOUS

• (adjective) • a. Playfully humorous• b. Jesting, often in an inappropriate or offensive way.

• Example: The facetious comments Mr. Webster made in class about my comedy were funnier than the skit itself.

FLIPPANT

• (adjective) Marked by a disrespectful frivolity or indifference; rudely witty

• Example: Mrs. Diaz scolded Hernando for his flippant remarks.

HILARITY

• (noun) Loud and lively merriment; boisterousness

• Example: There was much hilarity and celebration at my parents’ twenty-fifth anniversary party.

LUDICROUS

• (adjective) Laughable because of an obvious absurdity or ridiculousness.

• Example: The opera star sounded ludicrous singing “You Ain’t Nothing but a Hound Dog.”

MIRTH

• (noun) Gladness or lightheartedness, especially when expressed by laughter; gaiety, merriment.

• Example: When Tracy, Randy, and I get together for an evening, I know I have a couple of hours of mirth and merriment to look forward to.

WHIMSICAL

• (adjective) • a. Playful or fanciful; imaginatively humorous.• b. Characterized by unpredictability.

• Example: The whimsical writer has a special gift for creating fantastic fairy tales for children.

WITTICISM

• (noun) A witty or clever remark or saying.

• Example: Dorothy Parker was not only a brilliant satirist but also one of the finest masters of witticisms in America.