Ridicule is larger than humor as it includes ordinary non-humorous insults. The adjective form of the word ‘ridicule’ is even broader as it can describe situations that have neither ridicule nor humor.

Traffic today is ridiculous!

Clash Theory includes only those examples of ridicule seen by someone as humorous. In ridicule, sense and nonsense from any part of the spectrum clash as always, except that the nonsense is a target and the target is personal. Ridicule is a difference of opinion and a clash of culture. Ridicule takes sides.

Ridicule can be exceedingly plain, as when a child repeats what a sibling just said in a whiny, nyah-nyah voice. Different observers might see exaggeration or impression or parody or sarcasm or all of these here alongside the ridicule. Ridicule is not rigid – it’s a blend of different kinds of humor kernels. An overlapping mix of sarcasm, satire and ridicule is called ‘snark’.

The full range of ridicule targets and ridicule methods is very wide. Any form of humor additionally counts as ridicule if the nonsense element is something personal like appearance, actions, character, ideas or motivations. Ridicule is humor at someone’s expense.

The book Why Funny Is Funny takes multiple chapters to explore the humor substance of Ridicule. These include stereotypes, political humor, and a special look at why mockery is so powerful and how best to respond to it.

Return to the third broad category Culture

Return to the first Humor Culture category Wordplay

Continue to the third major Humor Culture category Pranks