gallows humour
Say it: GAL-ohz HYOO-muh /ˈɡaləʊz ˌhjuːmə/ · noun
What “gallows humour” means
Jokes about frightening or grim things that help you cope.
More precisely: Grim humour about very unpleasant or dangerous situations, often as a way of coping.
Example: “Nurses on night shifts rely on gallows humour to get through the hardest hours.”
When to use it
Use it for bleak jokes made during real hardship or danger, especially when people use laughter to cope.
Similar words
black comedy, dark humour, graveyard humour
Quick check
Trapped by floodwater upstairs, your neighbour jokes that the house finally has an indoor pool. What kind of humour is this?
slapstick or gallows humour?
Show the answer
gallows humour
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