Glossary of types of humour
Types of
humour
idiom
Definitions
Examples
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
joke
something said or done to excite
laughter or amusement; a playful
mischievous trick or remark
Exclaiming, ‘What a
beautiful day for a picnic!’
in the middle of a
thunderstorm.
What does a storm cloud
wear under its coat?
Thunderwear!
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
parody
pun
riddle
spoonerism
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
a puzzling question, problem, or
matter
a slip of the tongue whereby initial
or other sounds of words are
transposed
Munsch, Robert, The
paper bag princess
Police were called to a
daycare centre where a
three-year-old was
resisting a rest.
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?
My dunny fog is maned
Nitsy is a spoonerism for
My funny dog is named
Mitsy.
Share a few jokes, riddles or funny sayings with the rappers and send
them to the rap in your introductory message.
Created by Cath Keane
© 2006 School Libraries and Information Literacy Unit, Curriculum K–12 Directorate, NSW Department of Education and Training.