black humor

black humor
noun
the juxtaposition of morbid and farcical elements (in writing or drama) to give a disturbing effect
Syn: ↑black humour
Topics: ↑drama
Hypernyms: ↑expressive style, ↑style

* * *

noun
Etymology: translation of French humour noir
: humor marked by the use of usually morbid, ironic, grotesquely comic episodes
black-humored \\¦ ̷ ̷ ¦ ̷ ̷  ̷ ̷ \ adjective

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a form of humor that regards human suffering as absurd rather than pitiable, or that considers human existence as ironic and pointless but somehow comic.
[1965-70]

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black humor,
a morbid or bizarre form of humor, especially in novels and plays: »

Some writers, of course, take up black humor for just one novel (Time).


Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • black humor — Synonyms and related words: Atticism, agile wit, burlesque, caricature, comedy, dry wit, esprit, farce, humor, irony, lampoon, nimble wit, parody, pleasantry, pretty wit, quick wit, ready wit, salt, sarcasm, satire, savor of wit, slapstick,… …   Moby Thesaurus

  • black humor — a form of humor that regards human suffering as absurd rather than pitiable, or that considers human existence as ironic and pointless but somehow comic. [1965 70] * * * …   Universalium

  • black humor — morbid humor …   English contemporary dictionary

  • black humor — noun A subgenre of comedy and satire that deals with subjects that are believed to be serious or volatile, such as death, divorce, drug abuse, etc. Syn: black comedy …   Wiktionary

  • Anthology of Black Humor — The Anthology of Black Humor (in French Anthologie de l humour noir ) is an anthology of 45 writers edited by André Breton. It was first published in 1939 in Paris by Éditions du Sagittaire and its distribution was immediately banned by the Vichy …   Wikipedia

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  • black comedy — noun comedy that uses black humor • Hypernyms: ↑comedy * * * noun Etymology: translation of French comédie noire : comedy that employs black humor ; also : a situation or a series of events that resembles black comedy his odyssey from illness to… …   Useful english dictionary

  • humor — I (New American Roget s College Thesaurus) n. disposition, mood, tem per; caprice, drollery, wit; fun; jest; choler, melancholy, depression, anger; facetiousness. See feeling. v. t. indulge, favor, oblige, gratify. See permission, tendency,… …   English dictionary for students

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