"Humor: Offense, Defense, or Light-Heartedly?" | Aug 8 07

Categorized in !@$#%@!, Daily Grind, Family/Friends, Ramblings.

Humor is a necessity to any personality, whether it takes shape of sarcasm, YOMAMA jokes, or even living up to the role of pervertibility. It’s what makes our jaws ache with non-stopping chuckles, giggles, and pure laughter. It’s what makes our faces red, as our laughter interferes with our respiratory system. It’s causes tears of comedic joy pool up within pupils and roll down cheeks of flushed faces. Humor keeps us off the edge.

But when analyzing and breaking down the works of humor, one may notice that in order for humor to properly process, one must take the fall. The blow. The “attack.” Whichever, and whatever. A joke cannot possibly commenced unless taking a direct hit at someone, no matter who or whom it is. Think about it. Whenever a joke about a celebrity is told within a comedy club, the celebrity’s habits or gestures make it worth the show, as the comedian must insult the celebrity in one way or another. For instance, Michael Jackson might as well be the punchline to any jokes across nations due to what the media had told us. I even find my brother laughing when he heard the example found at Urban Dictionary: “Two Jewish guys walk into a bar… MICHAEL JACKSON!!”

Getting the gist of things? Another surefire example would be a YOMAMA joke. The show YOMAMA, if one has not heard of the televised program on MTV, is essentially entertainment based around jokes about, well, mothers. The opponents on the show basically dishes out the most “bombing” trash talking phrases about their opponents MAMA’S. It’s found funny, when taken light-heartedly. As in, not taking it seriously. But, however, things can be quite cruel when things are taken to offense. Since, they are insulting the very mother who gave birth to them after all, right? Google has sufficed fine examples found at Aha! Jokes:

Yo mama so fat when her beeper goes off, people thought she was backing up.

Yo mama so fat she had to go to Sea World to get baptized.

Yo mama so fat she fell in love and broke it.

Point proven? How one has to take the “blow” or “attack?” Michael Jackson along with Mother’s worldwide as examples above; surely, I needn’t go on.

It all deals with how a person takes a joke. Whether one rages it into offense, one fends up the battle ground with defenses, or the joke is merely taken light-heartedly and all things go swell. Everything won’t be taken into a light-hearted manner by everyone; nor will everyone take everything as laughing riot.

This topic of humor eventually unfolds upon my life. (it had to come eventually… couldn’t doubt that)

You see, when I was a 11-years old, this analysis plagued my mind. I came up with it myself after taking into consideration of my father’s sense of humor, or lack thereof. Ever since I was a youngin’, I remember my father’s humor. He would always bring things to the next level, and eventually, his humor arrived at the “cursing” stage. This is a wondrous (note that sarcastic adjective) state where he dishes out colorful language for his children to hear; bear in mind that my brother was 5 and I was 8 when he started this… devilish “occupation” as our father. I mean, he would always dish out a vast array of curse words at us, in the sake of humor, without any anger behind them. I mean, would children be able to decipher than language and find it FUNNY?! I find it difficult to find “F*CK YOU AUSTIN! F*CK YOU BILLY! YOU SON OF A B*TICH!” quite the hilarious remark.

He’s harassed us with this “supposedly” humorous comedy act throughout the years. When I was a mere 8 years old, I simply ignored it. Nothing much. But as I grew older, 4th, 5th, 6th grade, I discovered the wonders of cursing and their hidden “meanings”. And alas, I held up my offense and defense whenever he dished those vile words from his toilet-trained mouth. I can even recall the rage and aggravation that was inside of me. I took it personally, no matter humorous or deliberate, because after years and years of hearing that crap, I just couldn’t tell jokingly from deliberately anymore. It was that bad. He expressed his colorful language so often (to amuse us I assume. Complete contradiction if you ask me) that I could no longer decipher what was meaning to be taken light-heartedly, and what was meant as a federal offense. I didn’t know to hit it into offense mode, defense combat, or take it light-heartedly. I was stoic. I even remember warning him that this was going to affect us psychologically and we’ll all have to see shrinks later in life at age 11 after watching a bunch of psychology shows. But did he listen? Nooooooo….

And to this day, he’s still trash-talking to us, as if he were the champion of YOMAMA with his devious crew. I don’t understand his humor, nor will I ever understand it. He uses it as a “HELLO,” a “GOODBYE,” and a “HOW ARE YOU DOING?” on the phone whenever I talk to him. He finds it funny, as if it should be broadcasted on Comedy Central! I do not. Yet, he cannot tell from my incentive frown. It’s so flippin’ OLD. It reminds me of a old, broken record repeating the same verse over and over until nerves crack. Or, a much better comparison, a bird who cannot shut its yap and continues to sing in the same pitch and tone, awaiting evolution to take it’s toll on the species and change it’s annoying tune. *sigh*

I believe my brother has inherited his color language as everyday words in replace of greetings. Boy, do I wish I could blame MTV for his fond knowledge of curse words. But no… all fingers point to my father.

I’m in dire need for both of them to get some therapy and become overexposed to the the Orbit commercial with never ending subliminal messages.

“Dirty mouth? Clean it With Orbit gum!”

24 Responses to “Humor: Offense, Defense, or Light-Heartedly?”

Aug Wed 07 at 5:27 am , Alicia Says:

YOMAMA jokes are, to me, very offensive and some people do find them funny and I’m like “They just insulted someone, how is that funny?”

Your Dad’s sense of humour is a very odd one, I’ve never found cursing very funny. My mum never lets us swear, she might but only when she is really mad, not when she is trying to be funny.

Hm, and wouldn’t it be great to blame things on MTV? lol. But unforunatly it all lies in the socialisation of someone and how they grew up and its no wonder that your brother has inherited your Dads language.

Aug Wed 07 at 8:14 am , Sarah Says:

In my entire life, I have only come across one person who seemingly has the same sense of humor that your father does. That person being my older cousin. I can’t blame his father, MTV or any of his relatives. I blame his friends to be quite honest, though I do not know what influences them to be quite so crude.
My cousin’s idea of a joke would be spitting out some vile sexist/rasict/vulgar slur, which would only make sense to you if he was stoned, which is all the time for him. His attitude towards other people leaves me sickened because I would rather drain out my own blood now than share the same genes that he does. I find it hard to imagine that someone could be so narrow-minded, least of all that they would be related to me.

My own father’s humor is something quite different. He is, I feel compelled to say, outstandingly dim. He can bearly read and write, so I guess that he should count himself lucky that he is so skilled with his hands. His sense of humor is non-existant because how he makes people laugh is fairly simple. He makes them laugh at himself. I think he craves the attention.

Aug Wed 07 at 4:33 pm , Deborah Says:

Hahaha. That really made me laugh. Some people try to be funny but have this weird non-hilarious vibe about them you can only hear the crickets in the background. I really find the lame jokes the funniest. But thats me. I can laugh so hard at ‘Why did the chicken cross the road? to get to the other side”. I actually don’t really get it. Its just because the chicken wanted to cross the road. HAHA,.

Aug Wed 07 at 10:15 pm , morgan Says:

Wow. I’ve never really thought about it like that. I mean, Yo Momma jokes are funny and all, and sometimes just plain lame.. but there are the people who take everything as a joke, and those who can’t take a joke. People who cry when you say ANYTHING about them which might be slightly negative.

I can’t really comprehend with your situation o_O because I’ve never met anyone who swears for the HUMOUR of it. But I’m guessing it’s quite irritating, because I have met people who swear because it’s part of everyday vocab.

I think that humour can have a little swearing or cussing, but not so that the whole joke is built around it.

Everyone has a different sense of humour, I guess.

Aug Thu 07 at 3:15 am , morgan Says:

Ah oops. I spelt it wrong. YakuLt.. google that. It should work *looks to the left*
It’s this milk drink..
Hahahahaha Australian FBI. I don’t think we have FBI… unless they’re some secret organization based in the middle of the Simpson Desert.

There goes my television-influenced overrated imagination.

Aug Thu 07 at 4:35 am , Cameron Says:

Haha, oh yes me and Thor are very much partners in crime! xD

Your mama jokes, now where can I start I really think they should only be said, when the person who is receiving them, knows that they are intended for a joke, otherwise I don’t really think they should be said at all.

Haha, I just had to post this one.

“Your mamas so dumb she got locked in BedShed and slept on the floor xD”

Cameron

Aug Thu 07 at 6:36 am , Aurelia Says:

Humor is needed. It’s one of ways getting in touch with people.

The discutive topic is sense of humor. Everyone laughs at different things. Some of people take jokes ligh-hearty - like you said, some of them take it seriously. It’s really hard during the first conversation to guess if the person can take jokes easy or hard. It feels so bad when you say some joke about fat ppl while he/she is fat and what’s worse - he/she takes it seriously. No more contact with this person is guaranteed.

It’s hard to find light-hearted ppl nowadays in the place I live in. Most of them have defensive attitude.
Another sense of humor is stupid humor. They often play those stupid shows on TV. One of reasons for why we have those “hard” ppl. Eh…
I don’t think swearing can be taken good in jokes.

Aug Thu 07 at 7:32 am , Alicia Says:

Thank you for applying for free advertising, I’ll add your button up ASAP.

Ah yes, thank you for pointing that out for me xD I hadn’t noticed I had repeated it twice in my rules. As for the linking back part, you don’t have to but you can if you wish to. ^^

Aug Thu 07 at 8:58 am , Anne Says:

Wow… I can’t believe your dad would say that kind of stuff to his young kids, jokingly or not. Wouldn’t he stop to think he was setting a bad example? I hope some packs of Orbit gum find their way to your father and younger brother soon, ’cause they need it, big-time.

And you’re right; with humor, there’s always somebody to take offense. If someone’s idea of humor is simply saying weird things and acting stupid, then the offense gets pointed to himself. No escape. :-O

Great entry!

Aug Thu 07 at 2:17 pm , connie Says:

your father’s “sense of humor” is really shocking - have you ever tried telling him it’s just not funny? though, to be honest, it sounds like one would have a difficult time trying to get through to someone like your father. i guess the best thing you can do is just try to ignore it because he’s just abusing words and ultimately, they mean absolutely nothing.

have you ever heard of dead baby or helen keller jokes? i can think of one friend in particular who loves them, but i’ve never been able to laugh at them (minus one specific helen keller joke, but forget that, and i’m ashamed anyhow :)). everyone has a different sense of humor, i guess.

Aug Thu 07 at 7:47 pm , Alyssa Says:

Gotta love humor. I love to laugh. God forbid I was a reallys erious person who didn’t like laugh. Wouldn’t I be the life of the party! O_o But when humor gets out of hand, it can be pretty bad.

It sucks to read that your dad cusses and sort of makes fun of you and your brother in a “joke-ish” way. When my dad wasnts to be funny, he gets annoying at times. But I don’t remember a time where he was funny and deliberately cursing at me or my siblings. If he wanted to make fun of us, he usually wouldn’t curse. But anyways. Yeah I inherited my dad’s colorful mouth as well. I tend to curse ALOT. I keep thinking that I should cut it down especially on the “f” curse. My brother and sisters hear me curse like everyday but they know better not to curse. When I’m being funny, I sometimes curse and they find it funny. I just don’t want them to curse as much also, especially since my sisters are still at a young age. But they know better.

Lol to the Michael Jackson joke example. I guess Michael Jackson is a good joke starter, even though I barely hear jokes about him. X) And the Yo Momma show can be pretty funny. At times the jokes are stupid and at times they can get too serious. It’s nice when the yo momma jokes can be for fun and not for serious. But there can be some yo momma jokes that are out of hand. Any joke that causes alot of hurt is bad. When I was at the comedy club with my cousin and aunt and uncle, they made jokes about certain people and things. I foudn them really funny because alot of them were for good fun. THere were some that weren’t so good, but you couldn’t help but laugh anyways. Then there were the couple of jokes that were pretty out of hand. =/ I guess humor can really come at price like you mentioned. But everyone loves to laugh so as long as it’s not too bad then I guess it’s okay. =)

Aug Fri 07 at 12:04 am , Robbie Says:

lol I checked out those three clips, in the end Dirty D choked a little, but I think he should of won, he had some nasty jokes in all previous rounds.

My pop is the same as yours some time, he just can’t take jokes as jokes without being upset for some reason. *argh*

But those were some funny jokes, will definitely watch them again, was pi$$ing myself laughing over there heh.

Aug Fri 07 at 2:45 am , Tai Says:

That’s horrible, i don’t understand how your own father can be talking to you like that. Have you ever tried telling him that infact his “jokes” aren’t the least bit funny and that it’s a disgusting habit to have AND take out on his own children. Maybe try talking to your mum? The fact that he’s influencing your brother is a clear sign to just try and make him stop…or if you’re really feeling brave give him a taste of his own medicine? Haha but i know if i ever did that, my face would never be the same :/

I personally take humour light heartedly depending on who says it to me. If i’m the butt of the joke and it’s something personal that the person knows i wouldn’t like, then i would go into defense mode. I guess it just your perspective and how you view things. I totally understand what you mean with your dad though, i wouldnt really know how to react either.

Aug Fri 07 at 7:21 am , Mimi Says:

I enjoy laughing. I even like to laugh to the point where I cannot breathe and my tummy aches oh so much. MOST jokes are at someone else’s expenses and sometimes you question HOW you can laugh at some of them. With yo momma jokes, I don’t believe there’s a need to get defensive ’cause it’s all fun and games, there’s usually no harm intended, however certain jokes are taken way too far (remember that guy who called thos Black girls nappy headed hos, yeah he went too far). I’ve been at the end of jokes sometimes and you know a few of them DID hurt, but I was able to force a laugh and conceal my hurt, my anger, hell the embarassment, etc…

Anywhos! My father tends to like joke about things that are not funny at all. I remember we (my whole family) was in the car and my dad got a call from one of his friends and before he got off the one he was like “man, i’ma hit you up later, i’m about to go smoke some weed,” and he started laughing. I sat there like WTF?! Do you not see your children in the car, that joke was not funny at all. Like the mood went sour and everyone was offended, especially my mother.

OKAY BACK ON TOPIC! lol. I can’t believe your father just curses at you guys like that. Joking or not, such vulgar language is not needed. I think if you’re able to, you should talk to him, express your concerns with him and what not. Write him a letter and hand it to him, if you have to.

Aug Fri 07 at 9:53 am , Dana Says:

I am FINALLY commenting you. I know, you should be very happy right now. Hah. It’s only taken my a freaking MONTH. I promise I’ll hit your site more for now on! More than I go to mine XD !

LOL xD. Your analysis of jokes in general are amazing. It is true; all jokes cause one to suffer D=. But, that is American society! As Gandhi once said, “You must be the change you want to see in the world.” Strong words, yo. That’s one of my favorite quotes by him, actually… ANYWAYS! I don’t even think that is what you were getting at when it comes to the blog. -goes and keeps reading the rest-

Ah, the crude humor of fathers. I don’t think I want to even start with my own dad, so I’ll stick to commenting on yours. As you put him, he seems like a truly awful person to be stuck in a room with for three hours. I mean, not that you /would/ get stuck in a room with him. I just mean if you were ever in a situation like that. Such as a broken elevator! -sighs- I just totally got thrown off from my main point. This is why I keep my own blogs very vague, rather than giving full-analysis..es? Haha, how do you pluralize analysis?? Now that question was not a rhetorical one. Answer it in a comment or something :S .

But, more about you :). When you mention that you spoke out about your psychological health well, did you really think that was going to sway a compulsive curse-r (hahah)? Since when do adults (and parents, none the less) listen to any ‘kids’ under the age of… 25? Never. That’s when. -.- For some reason, they don’t think we know what is best for ourselves, even when these things are drilled into our minds by teachers of the school THEY send us to. Really, even if we were right, they’d never admit it. So basically your talk of concern for your brother and you was in vain. Sorry. D=

Annd, lastly, I must say that I fall into the vast amount of people who are crazy when it comes to bad language. I just SLIP! I mean, its not as if I try to /not/ say the words, but yeah. I just don’t care to stop xD. Even if my extended-with-words-I-don’t-need-to-say vocabulary was looked down upon by my family members (er… my mom at least), I still wouldn’t care haha. -sigh- I don’t think that made much sense to you. Here: my mom lets me swear as much as I want in front of her and my sister doesn’t give a crap either =P. And yes, I just substituted for a swear, did you catch that? XD It just comes out ^.^ Oh well. It’s not as if I make jokes like your dad. I can control myself in front of people younger than 14 :o.

Hopefully this novel will make up for my lack-age of commenting you! Sorry about that, again. I hope you enjoyed reading this, though. I bet some of it made no sense, but cut me some slack. It’s 1:00 p.m. and I have yet to eat. Insomniacs have to sleep at some point of their day, right? =P Mine just happens to be from 4:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. xD. OKAY! I’m officially done now. Sorry for the confusion I bestowed you with from this comment -.-
Lol [this stupid comment is so freaking long]

Aug Fri 07 at 12:57 pm , Kris Says:

I don’t watch YOMAMA but I think I came across such jokes on mIRC client many years back(I think I was high school then)

Your father reminds me of my aunt. The difference is that she usually don’t curse with ‘humor’ but she curse when she’s mad but the common thing is that if we were to translate what they said literally, they are referring to themselves. If you’re the son, who’s the ‘bitch’? Something like that. My aunt would curse her children..but if I were to translate it literally, it would mean “Your mom’s vagina”. Hehehe. Who’s the mom? LOL

I remember an incident years ago. I think I was 18 back then. I had this seat mate who came to school with quite a disheveled hair. I teased her more than once saying that she looked like as if she came from a motel. I never thought she got offended. She never told me. Had she told me, I would really stop and say sorry for my ‘jokes’. Besides, I thought it was nothing to her since she accepted the offers I gave her(like sharing my paper with me). One day I was shocked her parents came to talk to me because I was bullying her. Luckily, I was absent that day. Jesus, I was almost sent to the Student’s Affairs Office because of it. But I;m so thankful for my professor back them. She told the Student’s Affairs Office and her parents that she’ll talk to me first. It scared me a bit but I was more amused.

But what I don’t really want are racist humor. Some people complain about other races/nationalities being racist towards them but they themselves are no different from who they’re complaining about.

I do admit using swear words but usually, it’s for expression and not really a joke. I still couldn’t understand why your dad would use curse words to indicate humor. 0_o. Maybe it’s just my comprehension skills.

Aug Fri 07 at 5:21 pm , Saira Says:

I love reading your blog entries! They make me giggle… although I don’t understand the last “mama” joke… How do you break love? ;o

I’m not sure whether I like your Dad’s humour… I’m a sadist myself but … TO YOUR KIDS?! Lol. You poor thing. ;(

Aug Fri 07 at 7:06 pm , Carrie Says:

HAHAHA.

“Fueled By Wordpress, much less Ramen”

I LOVE YOU FOR THAT.

Aug Fri 07 at 7:08 pm , Carrie Says:

How awkward. I posted a comment, but it didn’t show. The wordpress/ramen thing was suppose to go after but…Anyways. here’s what I had written before stupid WP decide to not show- okay:

Alicia’s right, YOMAMA jokes are rather offensive. And it’s the exargeration (sp?) that I find utterly stupid and pointless. What exactly is the point in insulting a/our mothers? How come not our fathers? Our sisters? Brothers? Like…????? So much question marks. When I ask my friends they say I kill the fun.

I think otherwise?

Your father has a weird view on things, I assume. Have you tried talking to him about it? I think I would have screamed at him already if my dad swore to be funny. It’s stupid and pointless, like the YOMAMA jokes.

And I would take it in offense and go on defense, I wouldn’t take it light heartedly at all. He’s the father, after all. Not someone I/you met on the street or a friend or anything. :S

I’m sorry he upsets you and bothers you.

Aug Fri 07 at 10:19 pm , connie Says:

hehe love yomama jokes (: the only problem is that ummm i cant make up good ones =O

Aug Sat 07 at 9:53 am , Alex Says:

Yo mama jokes to me are offensive. If I did something to offend someone, I would much rather they insult me rather then my mother.

My parents never curse incessantly, but my dad does drop the f-bomb every once in a while if he stubs his toe, or if he’s extremely angry at someone (usually my brother).

I blame MTV for the language that some of my friends have inherited. I also blame shows like ‘Yo Mama.’ What’s the point of a TV show that’s meant for insulting people? Some people just don’t make sense to me.

Aug Sat 07 at 8:07 pm , Shannon Says:

I’ve always thought that that show was kind of stupid and ignorant. But the media only gives to us what society desires to hear or see. Sometimes we eat it right up and it’s entertainment to us. To others, it may be highly offensive or a waste of a tv show.

As I was growing up, my mother joked around but never used curses to do so. However, it still affected me to some extent because she’d take personal blows. I knew it was meant to be a joke but I guess sometimes it feels different coming from loved ones.

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