Humor notes are multiple humor kernels detected at the same time or in close proximity. There can be surprisingly many, even in short and simple examples.

The 1990 movie Kindergarten Cop features Arnold Schwarzenegger as rough-and-tumble detective John Kimble working undercover as a teacher. One funny moment occurs as Kimble is about to read a book to a group of seated youngsters.

Kid One: What’s wrong?
Kimble: I have a headache.
Kid Two (flatly): It might be a tumor.
Kimble (annoyed): It’s not a toomah!

Toomah is a funny way to pronounce tumor. The sense/nonsense humor kernel is tumor vs. toomah, and some observers will find this funny because of this kernel alone. However there are many additional nonsense elements detectable as humorous provided the observer subconsciously calls to mind the unstated companion sense elements. Here is a list of these sense elements.

First, a child is not expected to know the word tumor.
Second, a headache generally does not require medical attention.
Third, a headache does not merit an instant diagnosis.
Fourth, medical expertise is provided by an adult, not a child.
Fifth, a tumor is far from the first thing a medical professional would consider when presented with a headache clinically.
Sixth, the possibility of a tumor is usually conveyed with consideration of the patient’s feelings.
Seventh, adult reaction to a child’s tactlessness ordinarily involves gentle correction and guidance rather than anger, annoyance or exasperation. These reactions may be common, but they are humorous in comparison to what’s expected of grown-ups.

Each of these sense elements is individually capable of forming a humor clash with the nonsense visible in the scene. Observers who detect more clashes will generally find the scene funnier than those who detect fewer. It seems extraordinary that a fifteen-word conversation can hold eight different humorous facets. However, multiple detectable clashes are in fact common.

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