Types of humour

Definitions

Examples

idiom

a form of expression peculiar to a language, especially one that has significance other than its literal one

He was as mad as a cut snake means that he was angry.

irony

a figure of speech or literary device in which the literal meaning is the opposite of that intended

Exclaiming, ‘What a beautiful day for a picnic!’ in the middle of a thunderstorm.

joke

something said or done to excite laughter or amusement; a playful mischievous trick or remark

What does a storm cloud wear under its coat?
Thunderwear!

parody

humorous or satirical imitation of a serious piece of literature or writing; to imitate in such a way as to ridicule

Examples:
Scieszka, Jon, The true story of the three little pigs

Munsch, Robert, The paper bag princess

pun

the humorous use of a word in such a manner as to bring out different meanings or applications, or of words alike in sound but different in meaning; a play on words

Police were called to a daycare centre where a three-year-old was resisting a rest.

riddle

a puzzling question, problem, or matter

David was out for a walk when it started to rain. He did not have an umbrella and he wasn't wearing a hat. His clothes were soaked, yet not a single hair on his head got wet. How could this happen?

spoonerism

a slip of the tongue whereby initial or other sounds of words are transposed

My dunny fog is maned Nitsy is a spoonerism for My funny dog is named Mitsy.