Self-referential humor, also known as self-reflexive humor, self-aware humor, or meta humor, is a type of comedic expression[1] that—either directed toward some other subject, or openly directed toward itself—is self-referential in some way, intentionally alluding to the very person who is expressing the humor in a comedic fashion, or to some specific aspect of that same comedic expression. Self-referential humor expressed discreetly and surrealistically is a form of bathos. In general, self-referential humor often uses hypocrisy, oxymoron, or paradox to create a contradictory or otherwise absurd situation that is humorous to the audience.
An example of self-referential humor on a shared noticeboard.
Old Comedy of Classical Athens is held to be the first—in the extant sources—form of self-referential comedy. Aristophanes, whose plays form the only remaining fragments of Old Comedy, used fantastical plots, grotesque and inhuman masks and status reversals of characters to slander prominent politicians and court his audience's approval.[2]
Self-referential humor was popularized by Douglas Hofstadter who wrote several books on the subject of self-reference,[3][4] the term meta has come to be used, particularly in art, to refer to something that is self-referential.[5]
Classification
Meta-jokes are a popular form of humor. They contain several somewhat different, but related categories: joke templates, self-referential jokes, and jokes about jokes (meta-humour).[citation needed]
Joke template
This form of meta-joke is a sarcastic jab at the endless refitting of joke forms (often by professional comedians) to different circumstances or characters without a significant innovation in the humor.[6]
Three people of different nationalities walk into a bar. Two of them say something smart, and the third one makes a mockery of his fellow countrymen by acting stupid.[7]
Three blokes walk into a pub. One of them is a little bit stupid, and the whole scene unfolds with a tedious inevitability.[8] —Bill Bailey
How many members of a certain demographic group does it take to perform a specified task? A finite number: one to perform the task and the remainder to act in a manner stereotypical of the group in question.[7]
Self-referential jokes
Self-referential jokes must refer to themselves rather than to larger classes of previous jokes.[9]
What do you get when you cross a joke with a rhetorical question?[10]
Three blind mice walk into a bar, but they are unaware of their surroundings so to derive humour from it would be exploitative.[8]
Meta-humour is humour about humour. Here meta is used to describe that the joke explicitly talks about other jokes, a usage similar to the words metadata (data about data), metatheatrics (a play within a play, as in Hamlet), and metafiction.
Other examples
A self-referencing work of graffiti apologizing for its own existence
Alternate punchlines
Another kind of meta-humour makes fun of poor jokes by replacing a familiar punchline with a serious or nonsensical alternative. Such jokes expose the fundamental criterion for joke definition, "funniness", via its deletion. Comedians such as George Carlin and Mitch Hedberg used metahumour of this sort extensively in their routines.
Anti-humor
Anti-humor is a type of indirect and alternative comedy that involves the joke-teller delivering something that is intentionally not funny, or lacking in intrinsic meaning. The humor of such jokes is based on the surprise factor of absence of an expected joke or of a punch line in a narration that is set up as a joke.[12][13] It depends upon reference to the audience's expectations on what a joke is.
Self-referential humor is at times combined with breaking the fourth wall to make explicit reference directly to the audience or to make self-reference[14] to an element of the medium the characters should not be aware of.
Class-referential jokes
This form of meta-joke contains a familiar class of jokes as part of the joke.
A non sequitur walks into a bar. In a strong wind, even turkeys can fly.[17]
Comedian jokes
The process of being a humorist is also the subject of meta-jokes; for example, on an episode of QI, Jimmy Carr made the comment, "When I told them I wanted to be a comedian, they laughed. Well, they're not laughing now!"— a joke previously associated with Bob Monkhouse.[18]
Limericks
A limerick referring to the anti-humor of limericks:
The limerick packs laughs anatomical Into space that is quite economical. But the good ones I've seen So seldom are clean And the clean ones so seldom are comical.[19]
W. S. Gilbert wrote one of the definitive "anti-limericks":
There was an old man of St. Bees, Who was stung in the arm by a wasp; When they asked, "Does it hurt?" He replied, "No, it doesn't, But I thought all the while 'twas a Hornet."[20][21]
A performative poet of Hibernia Rhymed himself into a hernia He became quite adept At this practice, except For the occasional non-sequitur.
Metaparody
Metaparody is a form of humor or literary technique consisting "parodying the parody of the original", sometimes to the degree that the viewer is unclear as to which subtext is genuine and which subtext parodic.[22][23][24]
RAS Syndrome
RAS syndrome refers to the redundant use of one or more of the words that make up an acronym or initialism with the abbreviation itself, thus in effect repeating one or more words. However, "RAS" stands for Redundant Acronym Syndrome; therefore, the full phrase yields "Redundant Acronym Syndrome syndrome" and is self-referencing in a comical manner. It also reflects an excessive use of TLAs (Three Letter Acronyms).[25][26][27]
Examples
Hedberg
Stand-up comedian Mitch Hedberg would often follow up a joke with an admission that it was poorly told, or insist to the audience that "that joke was funnier than you acted."[28]
I've often started off with a lawyer joke, a complete caricature of a lawyer who's been nasty, greedy, and unethical. But I've stopped that practice. I gradually realized that the lawyers in the audience didn't think the jokes were funny and the non-lawyers didn't know they were jokes.[29]
^Merriam-Webster's Encyclopedia Of Literature - Google Boeken
^Morson, Gary Saul; Emerson, Caryl (1989). Rethinking Bakhtin: extensions and challenges. Northwestern University Press. pp. 63–. ISBN978-0-8101-0810-3. Retrieved 20 April 2013.
self, referential, humor, also, known, self, reflexive, humor, self, aware, humor, meta, humor, type, comedic, expression, that, either, directed, toward, some, other, subject, openly, directed, toward, itself, self, referential, some, intentionally, alluding,. Self referential humor also known as self reflexive humor self aware humor or meta humor is a type of comedic expression 1 that either directed toward some other subject or openly directed toward itself is self referential in some way intentionally alluding to the very person who is expressing the humor in a comedic fashion or to some specific aspect of that same comedic expression Self referential humor expressed discreetly and surrealistically is a form of bathos In general self referential humor often uses hypocrisy oxymoron or paradox to create a contradictory or otherwise absurd situation that is humorous to the audience An example of self referential humor on a shared noticeboard Contents 1 History 2 Classification 2 1 Joke template 2 2 Self referential jokes 2 3 Jokes about jokes meta humor 3 Other examples 3 1 Alternate punchlines 3 2 Anti humor 3 3 Breaking the fourth wall 3 4 Class referential jokes 3 4 1 Bar jokes 3 5 Comedian jokes 3 6 Limericks 3 7 Metaparody 3 8 RAS Syndrome 4 Examples 4 1 Hedberg 4 2 Rehnquist 5 See also 6 ReferencesHistory EditOld Comedy of Classical Athens is held to be the first in the extant sources form of self referential comedy Aristophanes whose plays form the only remaining fragments of Old Comedy used fantastical plots grotesque and inhuman masks and status reversals of characters to slander prominent politicians and court his audience s approval 2 Self referential humor was popularized by Douglas Hofstadter who wrote several books on the subject of self reference 3 4 the term meta has come to be used particularly in art to refer to something that is self referential 5 Classification EditMeta jokes are a popular form of humor They contain several somewhat different but related categories joke templates self referential jokes and jokes about jokes meta humour citation needed Joke template Edit This form of meta joke is a sarcastic jab at the endless refitting of joke forms often by professional comedians to different circumstances or characters without a significant innovation in the humor 6 Three people of different nationalities walk into a bar Two of them say something smart and the third one makes a mockery of his fellow countrymen by acting stupid 7 Three blokes walk into a pub One of them is a little bit stupid and the whole scene unfolds with a tedious inevitability 8 Bill Bailey How many members of a certain demographic group does it take to perform a specified task A finite number one to perform the task and the remainder to act in a manner stereotypical of the group in question 7 Self referential jokes Edit Self referential jokes must refer to themselves rather than to larger classes of previous jokes 9 What do you get when you cross a joke with a rhetorical question 10 Three blind mice walk into a bar but they are unaware of their surroundings so to derive humour from it would be exploitative 8 Bill BaileyI m a self deprecating comedian though I m not very good at it Stewart FrancisWhen I said I was going to become a comedian they all laughed Well they re not laughing now are they 11 Bob Monkhouse I m a poet and I didn t even know it Jokes about jokes meta humor Edit Meta humour is humour about humour Here meta is used to describe that the joke explicitly talks about other jokes a usage similar to the words metadata data about data metatheatrics a play within a play as in Hamlet and metafiction Other examples Edit A self referencing work of graffiti apologizing for its own existence Alternate punchlines Edit Another kind of meta humour makes fun of poor jokes by replacing a familiar punchline with a serious or nonsensical alternative Such jokes expose the fundamental criterion for joke definition funniness via its deletion Comedians such as George Carlin and Mitch Hedberg used metahumour of this sort extensively in their routines Anti humor Edit Anti humor is a type of indirect and alternative comedy that involves the joke teller delivering something that is intentionally not funny or lacking in intrinsic meaning The humor of such jokes is based on the surprise factor of absence of an expected joke or of a punch line in a narration that is set up as a joke 12 13 It depends upon reference to the audience s expectations on what a joke is Breaking the fourth wall Edit Main article Breaking the fourth wall Self referential humor is at times combined with breaking the fourth wall to make explicit reference directly to the audience or to make self reference 14 to an element of the medium the characters should not be aware of Class referential jokes Edit This form of meta joke contains a familiar class of jokes as part of the joke Bar jokes Edit A guy walks into a bar and says ouch 15 A baby seal walks into a club 16 A dangling participle walks into a bar Enjoying a cocktail and chatting with the bartender the evening passes pleasantly 17 A misplaced modifier walks into a bar owned by a man with a glass eye named Ralph 17 A dyslexic man walks into a bra 17 A bar was walked into by the passive voice 17 A verb walks into a bar sees a beautiful noun and suggests they conjugate The noun declines 17 A non sequitur walks into a bar In a strong wind even turkeys can fly 17 Comedian jokes Edit The process of being a humorist is also the subject of meta jokes for example on an episode of QI Jimmy Carr made the comment When I told them I wanted to be a comedian they laughed Well they re not laughing now a joke previously associated with Bob Monkhouse 18 Limericks Edit A limerick referring to the anti humor of limericks The limerick packs laughs anatomical Into space that is quite economical But the good ones I ve seen So seldom are clean And the clean ones so seldom are comical 19 W S Gilbert wrote one of the definitive anti limericks There was an old man of St Bees Who was stung in the arm by a wasp When they asked Does it hurt He replied No it doesn t But I thought all the while twas a Hornet 20 21 Tom Stoppard s anti limerick from Travesties A performative poet of Hibernia Rhymed himself into a hernia He became quite adept At this practice except For the occasional non sequitur Metaparody Edit Metaparody is a form of humor or literary technique consisting parodying the parody of the original sometimes to the degree that the viewer is unclear as to which subtext is genuine and which subtext parodic 22 23 24 RAS Syndrome Edit RAS syndrome refers to the redundant use of one or more of the words that make up an acronym or initialism with the abbreviation itself thus in effect repeating one or more words However RAS stands for Redundant Acronym Syndrome therefore the full phrase yields Redundant Acronym Syndrome syndrome and is self referencing in a comical manner It also reflects an excessive use of TLAs Three Letter Acronyms 25 26 27 Examples EditHedberg Edit Stand up comedian Mitch Hedberg would often follow up a joke with an admission that it was poorly told or insist to the audience that that joke was funnier than you acted 28 Rehnquist Edit Marc Galanter in the introduction to his book Lowering the Bar Lawyer Jokes and Legal Culture cites a meta joke in a speech of Chief Justice William Rehnquist I ve often started off with a lawyer joke a complete caricature of a lawyer who s been nasty greedy and unethical But I ve stopped that practice I gradually realized that the lawyers in the audience didn t think the jokes were funny and the non lawyers didn t know they were jokes 29 See also EditIndirect self reference In joke Intertextuality Irony Dadaism Meta Productive prefix in English derived from Greek Meta reference Type of self reference Recursion Process of repeating items in a self similar way Self reference Sentence idea or formula that refers to itself Snowclone Neologism for a type of cliche and phrasal template Surreal humour Form of humour predicated on deliberate violations of causal reasoningReferences Edit Sentences about Self Reference and Recurrence vo lu Retrieved 2012 08 21 Alan Hughes Performing Greek Comedy Cambridge 2012 Hofstadter Douglas R 1979 Godel Escher Bach An Eternal Golden Braid Basic Books ISBN 0 465 026850 Hofstadter Douglas R 1985 Metamagical Themas Questing for the Essence of Mind and Pattern Basic Books ISBN 0 465 04566 9 Origin and meaning of prefix meta Online Etymology Dictionary Retrieved August 12 2021 Stars turn to jokers for hire dead link a b Foster Michael Dylan Tolbert Jeffrey A November 2015 The Folkloresque Reframing Folklore in a Popular Culture World Utah State University Press ISBN 9781607324188 a b Bill Bailey 2004 Bill Bailey Live Part Troll DVD Universal Pictures UK ASIN B0002SDY1M Self referential humor wikipedia org 30 Jokes Only Intellectuals Will Understand Fact inator Retrieved 24 February 2021 Obituary Bob Monkhouse BBC News 29 December 2003 Retrieved 24 February 2021 Warren A Shibles Humor Reference Guide A Comprehensive Classification and Analysis Archived September 28 2007 at the Wayback Machine Hardcover 1998 ISBN 0 8093 2097 5 John Henderson Writing Down Rome Satire Comedy and Other Offences in Latin Poetry 1999 ISBN 0 19 815077 6 p 218 Self referential humor in Wikipedia The Free Encyclopedia Wikimedia Foundation Inc updated 16 27 Sunday January 22 2023 UTC Rich Jr John D 21 Mar 2019 A Guy Walks Into a Bar and Says Ouch Psychology Today Retrieved 21 February 2021 Inman Matthew 2020 A baby seal walks into a club Dumb Jokes That Are Funny The Oatmeal The Oatmeal Retrieved 21 February 2021 a b c d e f Sienkiewicz Linda K 14 May 2018 Bar Jokes and Grammar Linda K Sienkiewicz Linda K Sienkiewicz Retrieved 21 February 2021 Deacon Michael 3 June 2015 Modern comedy s unlikely hero Bob Monkhouse telegraph co uk Retrieved 18 February 2018 Feinberg Leonard The Secret of Humor Rodopi 1978 ISBN 9789062033706 p102 Wells 1903 pp xix xxxiii Merriam Webster s Encyclopedia Of Literature Google Boeken Morson Gary Saul Emerson Caryl 1989 Rethinking Bakhtin extensions and challenges Northwestern University Press pp 63 ISBN 978 0 8101 0810 3 Retrieved 20 April 2013 Marina Terkourafi 23 September 2010 The Languages of Global Hip Hop Continuum International Publishing Group pp 234 ISBN 978 0 8264 3160 8 Retrieved 20 April 2013 Peter I Barta 2001 Carnivalizing Difference Bakhtin and the Other Routledge pp 110 ISBN 978 0 415 26991 9 Retrieved 20 April 2013 Clothier Gary 8 November 2006 Ask Mr Know It All The York Dispatch Newman Stanley December 20 2008 Sushi by any other name Windsor Star p G4 Archived from the original on May 3 2012 Feedback fee required New Scientist No 2285 2001 04 07 p 108 Retrieved 2006 12 08 Mitch Hedberg Mitch All Together CD Comedy Central 2003 ASIN B000X71NKQ Galanter Marc 1 September 2005 Lowering the Bar Lawyer Jokes and Legal Culture University of Wisconsin Press p 3 ISBN 0 299 21350 1 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Self referential humor amp oldid 1135034048, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
