unit1 passage.doc

Unit 1Leisure Activities In-Class Reading Entertaining Humor-Whats Funny? Donald M. Huffman 1 The joy of laughing at a funny story is universal, probably as old as language itself. But, what is it that makes a story or a joke funny? 2 As one who had enjoyed humor since I first recognized it, Ive made an attempt to explain and discuss humor with students in such diverse cultures as Latin America and China. Ive done some serious thinking about funny stories. It has been a labor of love! 3 Why is it that several students in a class will fall out of their chairs laughing after I tell a joke while the rest of the students look as if Ive just read the weather report? Obviously some people are more sensitive to humor than others. And, we recognize that some people tell jokes very well while others struggle to say something funny. Weve all heard people say, I like jokes, but I cant tell one well, and I can never remember them. Some people have a better sense of humor than others just as some people have more musical talent, mathematical talent etc. than others. A truly funny person has a joke for every occasion, and when one is told, that triggers an entire string of jokes from that persons memory bank. A humorless person is not likely to be the most popular person in a group. It is reasonable to say that the truly humorous individual is not only well liked, but is often the focus of attention in any gathering. 4 Even some animals have a sense of humor. My wifes mother often visited us for extended stays. She normally didnt like dogs, but she fell in love with Blitzen-a female Lab we have, and the relationship was mutual. Even when young, Blitzen would tease Grandma by very selectively carrying one of her bedroom slippers into the living room where Grandma sat in her favorite, comfortable chair. Blitzen pranced just beyond the reach of Grandma until Grandma was tempted to leave her chair to get the slipper from Blitzen. When Grandma left her chair, Blitzen w