| − | A joke is a series of words or phrases intended to produce laughter, and not offense. | + | A joke is a series of words, phrases, or occasionally actions (as in [[physical humor]]) intended to produce laughter, and not offense. Generally speaking, a joke will contain some exaggeration or absurdity which is difficult to take seriously. Many jokes rely on [[wordplay]] or "[[pun|puns]]", others on current events and still others on the preconceptions of the audience in order to invoke the desire effect. |