Funny or not?
What is the basis of 'sick' humour?
Whether we find a joke funny or not largely depends on were we have been brought up. The sense
of humour is mysteriously bound up with national characteristics. A Frenchman, for instance,
might find it hard to laugh at a Russian joke. In the same way, a Russian might fail to see
anything amusing in a joke witch would make an Englishman laugh to tears.
Most funny stories are based on comic situations. In spite of national differences, certain funny
situations have a universal appeal. No matter where you live, you would find it difficult not to
laugh at, say, Charlie Chaplin's early films. However, a new type of humour, which stems largely
from the U.S., has recently come into fashion. It is called 'sick humour'. Comedians base their
jokes on tragic situation like violent death or serious accidents. Many people find this sort
of joke distasteful The following example of 'sick humour' will enable you to judge for yourself.
A man who had broken his right leg was taken to hospital a few weeks before Christmas. From the
moment he arrived there, he kept on pestering his doctor to tell him when he would be able to
go home. He dreaded having to spend Christmas in hospital. Though the doctors did his best, the
patient's recovery was slow. On Christmas Day, the man still had his right leg in plaster. He
spent a miserable day in bed thinking of all the fun he was missing. The following day, however,
the doctor consoled him by telling him that his chances of being able to leave hospital in time
for New Year celebrations were good. The good. The man took heart and, sure enough, on New Years'
Eve he was able to hobble along to a party. To compensate for his unpleasant experiences in
hospital, the man drank a little more than was good for him. In the process, he enjoyed himself
thoroughly and kept telling everybody how much he hated hospitals. He was still mumbling something
about hospitals at the end of the party when he slipped on a piece of ice and broke his left leg.