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It Was An Inside Job
According to Merriam-Webster: The meaning of INSIDE JOKE is a joke that is understood only by people with special knowledge about something.
Can we use inside jokes in our writing? The short answer is, I don't know. I'm not a writing expert, and I especially am an amateur when it comes to writing comedy. Let's look into this, though. I mean, why not? I've got nothing better to do.
Lately, I've been thinking about inside jokes. I have also been thinking about how some random stranger in China knew that if they made a little cast-iron bird with comically large feet and shipped it clear across the world, I would happily spend my hard-earned money to buy it. I've been wondering why they work and how they come into being. Inside jokes, that is, not little Chinese cast-iron birds with comically large feet.
I decided that Merrimam-Webster is correct, this type of joke comes out of a shared experience or knowledge. To have the joke be ongoing, the people involved have to have some sort of relationship. The next requirement is that the joke isn't funny at all to anyone outside of the first two requirements, even if the joke is explained.
Jokes are rarely funny if they need to be explained, in my opinion. Annoying, yes. Funny, no. Don't believe me? Next time you don't get a joke, ask someone to explain it. Trust me, the humor will instantly get sucked right out of it.
The intensity of the humor of an inside joke varies, of course. It may be something that will set the participants to laugh hysterically or something that is fun and mildly amusing. Either way, the result is a shared bonding within the group.
I have inside jokes with family members, friends, and co-workers. It is the source of a lot of my humor, which is why people who first meet me generally think I am a complete dud. Sometimes that opinion will even change later as they get to know me.
Here's an example of a long-running inside joke. My husband and I will go to Walmart when it is actively snowing. The first one of us to spot someone there wearing shorts, flip flops, spaghetti-strap tank tops, or any other inappropriate snow wear gets a high five. Colorado weather is volatile, but not THAT volatile. How do people get caught out with summer clothing on when snow was predicted...in January? We get a laugh out of it every time. (See? I told you inside jokes aren't funny when explained.)
The bonding experience of the inside joke is very relatable. Try to bring the humor of it to your readers. It will help them bond with your characters and with you as the writer. |
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Comedy: June 01, 2022 Issue [#11381]
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