What is Funny?

A Harder Question Than You Expect

I never realized that the question of "What is funny?" would be difficult. It is easy to laugh with friends, share jokes or funny events, and to talk about funny things. But when you flat out ask what is funny, the responses can be interesting.

Girl 1

 “Uh..(laughs)..I don’t know. Funny people, jokes. It depends on so many things. You never know if something will make you laugh. I never know until I hear it or see it. There could be so many things.”

Girl 2

“What makes me laugh…it’s the misfortunes of other people…of myself and friends. Jokes make me laugh. Embarrassing stories make me laugh. Funny TV shows, movies, and some music.”

Boy 1

“In general? I think dry humor is pretty funny. Pretty much anything makes me laugh. I think harsh jokes are funny. I think drunk people are funny. I think Modern Family and Parks and Rec are funny shows. My little nephew makes me laugh.”

Boy 2

“What makes me laugh? I don’t know. Is this a joke? Oh…what makes me laugh. This is a hard question. So much stuff makes me laugh. I don’t know if what makes me laugh is appropriate. Um…what makes me laugh?  I’m stumped. Can it be a TV show? Family Guy makes me laugh, pretty funny. I can’t think of anything, that is a hard question.”