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What Is Gallows Humor?
Proving Ground
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7/11/2024
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📚
Learning
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00:00
WHAT IS GALLOWS' HUMOUR?
00:03
During times of national crisis, such as the explosion of the space
00:06
shuttle Challenger in 1986, some people use a grim form of humour as a
00:11
coping mechanism. These offensive or sick jokes used to diffuse a grim
00:16
situation are examples of Gallows' humour. This type of humour can be
00:21
very self-deprecating in nature, as when a terminally ill patient
00:25
jokingly asks his doctor for a second opinion or an extension on his
00:29
bill. While Gallows' humour may sound too dark or offensive to
00:34
outsiders, those in On the Joke may find it somewhat comforting. Other
00:38
forms of Gallows' humour are intended to find a more universal
00:42
audience. When tragic events such as the assassination of a world
00:46
leader, a celebrity murder trial, or a natural disaster occur, it is
00:52
not unusual to encounter a spate of questionable or tasteless jokes on
00:56
morning radio programs or internet discussion groups. By sharing
01:02
these jokes among close friends or co-workers, some people find it
01:06
easier to cope with the overwhelming emotions attached to the actual
01:09
event. Many people who work in stressful occupations find that a
01:14
little Gallows' humour can help put their grim or distasteful tasks in
01:18
a more manageable light. Police officers and medical professionals
01:23
often use Gallows' humour when discussing their work with other
01:26
professionals. This may sound offensive or unprofessional to
01:30
outsiders, but it can be a way to put some distance between
01:33
themselves and the grim realities of their jobs.
01:38
As the name implies, Gallows' humour actually did start with the
01:41
execution device used for public hangings. It was not unusual for
01:46
condemned prisoners to use their final words as a sounding board for
01:50
grim, self-deprecating jokes, often directed toward distraught friends
01:54
and family members. This practice of making jokes during a time of
01:58
grief or tragedy soon became a coping mechanism for soldiers fighting
02:02
in the trenches or survivors of a natural disaster. Many of us can
02:07
recall at least one joke that grew out of a tragic set of
02:10
circumstances, although many of those jokes had a very short shelf
02:13
life. Taken out of context, many forms of Gallows' humour would sound
02:19
exceptionally cruel or insensitive, but they did once serve to fill a
02:23
void during the uncertain days following a national tragedy.
02:29
For more clear, concise answers to common and not-so-common questions,
02:33
visit the Conjecture Corporation website.
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