Black humor is a type of comedy that is often considered taboo, controversial, and offensive. It is a form of humor that uses tragic, morbid, or dark subject matter to create laughter. Black humor is often used to deal with serious issues and to express feelings that are difficult to express in other ways. In this article, we will explore the definition and meaning of black humor.
Definitions
Black humor is a type of humor that is used to make light of serious or morbid subjects. It is often characterized by its use of irony, sarcasm, and satire. Black humor can be found in literature, film, television, and other forms of media.
Origin
The origin of black humor can be traced back to ancient Greece, where playwrights used tragic and morbid themes to create laughter. The term “black humor” was first used in the 1930s to describe the work of certain writers, such as Franz Kafka and Samuel Beckett, who used dark and absurd themes in their writing.
Meaning in different dictionaries
The meaning of black humor can vary depending on the dictionary. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, black humor is “humor that is marked by the use of morbid, ironic, or grotesque themes.” The Oxford English Dictionary defines black humor as “a form of humor that regards human suffering as absurd rather than pitiable, or that employs cynicism, irony, or sarcasm in the face of situations that might be considered tragic.”
Associations
Black humor is often associated with controversial or taboo subjects, such as death, disease, and violence. It is also associated with satire and irony, and is often used to critique social and political issues.
Synonyms
Synonyms of black humor include dark humor, gallows humor, and morbid humor.
Antonyms
Antonyms of black humor include light humor, wholesome humor, and family-friendly humor.
The same root words
The same root words as black humor include black comedy and dark comedy.
Example Sentences
- “The comedian used black humor to address the sensitive topic of mental illness.”
- “The movie used black humor to create a satirical commentary on the political climate.”
- “Some people find black humor offensive, while others find it cathartic.”
Black humor is a type of comedy that uses dark and morbid themes to create laughter. It is often associated with controversial or taboo subjects and is used to critique social and political issues. While some people find black humor offensive, others find it cathartic.