The fifth and final humor gauge Meant / Not Meant is a subset of Accidental / Intentional, and it only applies in the special humor cases of sarcasm, parody, satire, ridicule, and pranks. The meant / not meant humor gauge is a distinctive kind of intention important enough to warrant a separate examination.

There are many reasons not to take what someone says literally. Among them are bragging, spinning, equivocating, even lying. The reason most important to Clash Theory: they’re trying to create humor. People routinely say SILLY or CONTRARY or IMPROPER things simply to make a joke. This naturally creates interpretation problems, especially when a joke also counts as an insult.

Out in the world, ridicule and mockery are full synonyms. Clash Theory uses the terms a bit differently to make the humor gauge distinction more clear: mockery is meant, teasing is not meant, and ridicule is either or both. Teasing and mockery are the two halves of ridicule.

Teasing can superficially appear completely identical to mockery, despite being socially opposite. The difference is explained by the Meant / Not Meant bridge factor. For both, the appearance, actions or character of another person is targeted as nonsense. Humor materializes when this nonsense clashes with the sense of the ways things are supposed to be.

Party Person One (leaving a late-night party):
  "I'm off to get my 'beauty sleep'."
Party Person Two (serious): "Boy, do you need it."

Is this teasing or mockery? Several kinds of context clues can reveal which, like the history between the persons and their reputations for using teasing or mockery. Perhaps more important than these long-term ideas is the immediate aftermath. Does Person Two smile to indicate kidding, or is there a slight glare instead? Is this a shared joke or a one-way jab?

Return to Humor Gauges

Return to the fourth Humor Gauge ACCIDENTAL / INTENTIONAL