One Word Can Make All the Difference Between Funny or Ho Hum

One word can make all the difference between funny or ho-hum. 

For instance, let me introduce you to four kids:

Faith, Hope, Joy, and Jack.

The name Jack is so unexpected, I can’t help but chuckle. It’s the difference between funny and a just list of names. 

Check out these three tips for choosing the right word:

1. Choose An Unexpected Word

We’ve already seen the effectiveness of this technique.

As we hear the names Faith, Hope, and Joy, our minds jump to thoughts of virtuous children with commendable attributes.

Then we hear the name Jack.

It’s a fine name, but it’s not expected, so it makes us laugh. 

Consider Beatrix Potter’s garden-loving rabbits: Flopsy, Mopsy, Cotton-Tail, and Peter. Right away we know Peter is going to be different. He doesn’t disappoint. 

2. Choose A Word with a “K” Sound

“Fifty-seven years in this business, you learn a few things. You know what words are funny and which words are not funny. Alka-Seltzer is funny. You say ‘Alka-Seltzer’, you get a laugh… Words with ‘k’ in them are funny. Casey Stengel, that’s a funny name. Robert Taylor is not funny. Cupcake is funny. Tomato is not funny. Cookie is funny. Cucumber is funny…Cleveland… Cleveland is funny. Maryland is not funny.”  (Willy Clark, The Sunshine Boys)

The name Jack makes the “k” sound. According to Willy Clark, that makes it funny. I think he’s right. If their names were Faith, Hope, Joy, and Jeff, that would be funny, but Jack is funnier.

3. Put the Funniest Word at the End

The punchline always belongs at the end. Ba-dum bump. Humor 101.

Faith, Jack, Hope, and Joy is just a list of children. Ho-hum. (No offense to Faith, Jack, Hope, and Joy.)

Faith, Hope, Joy, and Jack. That’s funny.

Pay close attention to word choice, and it will pay off in laughs. Just one word can make all the difference.

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