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| − | 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]]s", others on current events and still others on the preconceptions of the audience in order to invoke the desire effect. |
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| − | ---- | + | Jokes can be differentiated from [[mockery]] in that jokes are innocent attempts at humor, while mockery includes intent to harm, ridicule, or embarrass. As such, jokes are typically good-natured, while [[mockery]] is not. |
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| | + | A joke typically consists of two parts. The first part is referred to as the "setup." The last sentence of a joke is called the "punchline." This is the part you are supposed to laugh at, although it is rarely as funny as the joke-teller thinks it is. A one-sentence joke is called a "one liner." |
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| | + | ==References== |
| | + | #[http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/joke "Joke" on Dictionary.com]. |
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| − | "joke." Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Random House, Inc. 16 Mar. 2007. <Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/joke>.
| + | [[Category:Humor]] |