How do you define "Dark Humor"?

[Dorian]

I posted this as part of a response to a new thread that Rupert started, but think it might be interesting and important enough for this forum as a standalone topic.

I'd love to hear others' definitions or descriptions of what "dark humor" means to them. I assume people have different definitions of what it encompasses.

Here's what I borrowed from my other post:

Urban Dictionary defines it as: "Humor that is viewed as dark, morbid, cruel, offensive to some, and or graphic in nature and is yet, still found funny."

I think that's a pretty good, broad definition. Does it include "off-beat," "wacky" and "absurd" humor? Or does it have to truly have a dark element to it, such as being associated with violence or unpleasant or taboo subjects? I'm not sure.

Dorian Box
Psycho-Tropics

[Michael]

I think that the urban dictionary definition that you found is a pretty good definition too. Especially, a you noted, that it probably needs to be a broad definition to cover what all might be considered dark humor.

[Jason]

Stuff my mum wouldn't find funny.

[Dorian]

I guess a related question is whether "dark humor" has to be "funny" to qualify or just ironic or wry or perhaps insightful/pointed commentary about darker aspects of the world we live in.

[Rupert]

Jason wrote: "Stuff my mum wouldn't find funny."

Didn't she lose her sense of humour after giving birth to you? :-) :-)

[Jason]

She's never been the same since...not that I knew her that well before hand....unless in the future I do get hold of a time machine and go back to be my own dad.

[Rupert]

Dorian wrote: "I guess a related question is whether "dark humor" has to be "funny" to qualify or just ironic or wry or perhaps insightful/pointed commentary about darker aspects of the world we live in."

I think the UD definition is a good starting point for us. Although I reckon weirdness and surrealism -when done well- can also bring about dark humour. The example I think of immediately are David Lynch films and perhaps even elements of Twin Peaks. I'm basically saying what I said in the other thread but a movie like Inland Empire or Mulholland Drive wouldn't necessarily fit the UD definition, but there are striking elements of dark humour.

Does dark humour have to be funny? I take it you mean does it have to make you laugh? Forgive me if this point is way off course: in my opinion laughing isn't always essential to humour. Humour works best with me when I feel enlightened or reassured about my own worldview. So insightful/ pointed commentary is sometimes the best humour rather than something that makes me laugh out loud.

I can only hope that point makes sense and is on topic! :-)

[Rupert]

Jason wrote: "She's never been the same since...not that I knew her that well before hand....unless in the future I do get hold of a time machine and go back to be my own dad."

Haha! There's a story in that somewhere, Jason! :-)