Results: Comedy Jargon For Everyday Use
Published on 10/17/2023
My writing about comedy has influenced my vocabulary and frames of references some. Which of the following terms I gleaned from writing about humor would find useful to use, if y'ure not incorporating them into the way you speak already?
QUESTIONS
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Comments
1.
1.
Riffing-Telling one joke that one may expect to get a big laugh, then relaying subsequent, related bits (for me, it can apply to group conversations, even group prayer) I already use that.
11%
222 votes
I can see it being useful.
24%
500 votes
Unsure
37%
768 votes
I don't see it being useful.
29%
610 votes
2.
2.
Punching up, punching down (if there's such a thing as punching across, I've not heard/read it referenced)-Taking on or discussing a target a listener may see as bigger than you (punching up) or smaller (punching down) than the one speaking. Punching up is generally the critically preferred comedic approach.
I already use that.
9%
183 votes
I can see it being useful.
22%
455 votes
Undecided
40%
850 votes
I can't see it being useful.
29%
612 votes
3.
3.
Callback-Referencing something later in a conversation, or stand-up routine, that was mentioned earlier...calling back to it I already use that.
12%
248 votes
I can see it being useful.
27%
562 votes
Unsure
38%
792 votes
I can't see it being useful.
24%
498 votes
4.
4.
Crowd work-Getting laughs, or generating interest in interest in oneself, by interacting with one's audience
I already use that.
10%
219 votes
I can see it being useful.
28%
583 votes
Uncommitted
37%
781 votes
I can't see it being useful.
25%
517 votes
5.
5.
Punchline-the line in a bit that's designed to get laughs; in general use, I'd say it's the gist of a discussion or presentation, getting to the point of the communication taking place
I already use that.
15%
320 votes
I can see where it would be useful.
30%
625 votes
Unconvinced
33%
692 votes
I can't see it being useful.
22%
463 votes
COMMENTS