Accidental / Intentional is the fourth humor gauge and the second major one after Real / Fictional.

Let’s say a combination diner / gas station along a rural highway has an advertising sign that says “EAT HERE. GET GAS.”

Observers who see the sign as funny will differ on whether they in addition see an intent to create humor or not. This difference spills over into the character of the humor detected. Those who see it as accidental will subconsciously see it primarily as FOOLISH. Those who see it as intentional will subconsciously evaluate the humor as ATYPICAL or VULGAR, etc.

On the map of the world of humor, intent is the grayest of areas. All aspects of humor production and humor perception are colored by intent. Intent is quite a bit more than whether the person who created humor intended to do so. The many additional examples in Why Funny Is Funny explore further aspects of how observers assess intent, and how these differences can lead directly to radically different humor perceptions of the exact same humor event.

Return to Humor Gauges

Return to the third Humor Gauge Temporary / Permanent

Continue to the fifth Humor Gauge Meant / Not Meant