The nature of puns
Let's talk about the use of puns for humor. Puns are a type of wordplay that involve exploiting the multiple meanings of words, as well as their phonetic similarities, in order to create a humor. Remember that humor is the reaction based on both surprise and delight. While some people love puns and find them hilarious, others may find them annoying or even groan-worthy (surprising, but not delightful?). However, if used well, puns can be a great way to add some lightheartedness and humor to your conversations and interactions.
One of the key benefits of puns is that they can be used in a variety of situations. They can be used to break the ice with someone new, to lighten the mood in a tense situation, or simply to entertain others. Puns are also versatile, as they can be used in spoken language, written language, and even in visual media like comics and memes. Truly, there are not many situations where puns don't work.
The practice of puns
So how can you improve your ability to make puns? Here are some tips and tricks to get you started:
Expand your vocabulary.
I've pointed this out before in The Wit Gym. It improves your communication skills overall, but in this case the more words you know, the more options you have for creating puns. Read books, listen to podcasts, and talk to people from different backgrounds and cultures to expose yourself to a variety of words and phrases. It's always fascinating to learn more idioms, axioms, and adages.
Look for opportunities to make puns.
The more you practice, the easier it will become to spot pun-worthy situations. Keep an open mind and be on the lookout for wordplay opportunities in everyday conversations and situations. Be sure you do this with someone you're comfortable doing it with. Some people aren't fans of puns or punsters and it's best that the folks around you know you're practicing your pun skills. Otherwise, everyone gets uncomfortable.
Practice word association.
Another key exercise here at The Wit Gym. Try connecting words that sound similar or have similar meanings in your head. For example, “I'm reading a book on anti-gravity. It's impossible to put down!” This type of word association can help you come up with puns on the fly.
Examples of puns in action
Here are some examples of puns and why they might be considered humorous.
“I told my wife she was drawing her eyebrows too high. She looked surprised.”
This pun relies on the double meaning of the word “surprised”, which can mean both “caught off guard” and “with an elevated eyebrow”.“I'm reading a book on the history of glue. I just can't seem to put it down.”
This pun uses the phrase “put it down” in two different ways – to physically set something down, and to stop reading a book.“I'm trying to organize a hide and seek tournament, but it's really hard to find good players.”
This pun plays on the idea of “finding” players in a game of hide and seek, as well as the more general sense of “finding” good players for a team.“I was going to tell a time-traveling joke, but you guys didn't like it.”
This pun relies on the concept of time travel, as well as the fact that the joke has already been told (i.e. it has “traveled” through time).“I used to play piano by ear, but now I use my hands.”
This pun plays on the double meaning of the phrase “play by ear”, which can mean both to play music without sheet music and to make decisions based on intuition.
With some practice, you can become more comfortable making puns. Remember to keep an open mind, look for wordplay opportunities. Use puns sparingly and try to read the room (frequently) to gauge the audience's reaction. While puns can be a great way to inject some humor into a conversation, too many puns can become annoying.
The science of puns
There have been several studies that have explored the relationship between the use of puns and intelligence. One is “The relationship between intelligence and the appreciation of verbal humor: A neurocognitive approach” by Willibald Ruch et al., published in Intelligence in 2018. In this study, the researchers used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to examine the neural correlates of verbal humor comprehension in 70 participants. The participants completed tasks that required them to rate the humor level of puns and non-pun jokes. The results showed that the participants who rated puns as funnier had higher verbal intelligence and greater activation in brain regions associated with language processing and cognitive flexibility.
Another study that explored the relationship between puns and intelligence is “Individual differences in the comprehension of verbal jokes: The role of cognitive abilities and affective temperaments” by Fabio Ferlazzo et al., published in Personality and Individual Differences in 2019. In this study, the researchers administered a battery of cognitive tests to 90 participants and asked them to rate the humor level of puns and non-pun jokes. These results also showed that the participants who rated puns as funnier had higher verbal intelligence, cognitive flexibility, and verbal fluency.
Overall, these studies suggest that there may be a positive correlation between the use of puns and intelligence, particularly in terms of verbal intelligence and cognitive flexibility. It's important to note that correlation does not necessarily imply causation. We don't know if making puns indicates intelligence or not. What we do know is that an appreciation for puns means it's scientifically possible you're smarter than average.
A rare medium well done
It’s rare that the humor medium of puns is well done. But, when they are they are unmisteakable (see what I did there?). Try them out and see if you can get good at them. See if you and your friends can string several puns together on the same topic. It’s great way to hone your pun skills.
If you’re not already a subscriber, please consider joining The Wit Gym. Just click the link above. More people sharpening their wits and improving their puns can’t be a bad thing. Leave a comment if you have something to say about the topic. I’m happy read your contributions. Just click the button below. I am also available for personal coaching, group trainings, and keynote addresses, if this is a topic you’d be interested in exploring. Until next time, be well, create joy, and live as your authentic self.
Your coach,
Andrew