Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[cherry4022]

Dear teachers：)

Is the phrase "black humor" correct to express a kind of humor which contain ironic, deep meaning or sarcasm toward reality, a ridiculous policy?

I found this phrase on Yahoo On-line Dictionary, but there isn't such an expression on Longman Dictionary.

If it's not correct, I would like to know what's the exact expression?

Thank you very much and looking forward to your reply.

Best wishes,
Cherry Tan ^_^

[jerseyjoe]

Hello Cherry, possibly they are referring to either jokes targeted towards black people or black comedians telling jokes about their race. I am not being racist, I am trying to let you know this because in the USA there are many different races and each different race has jokes. For example Redneck jokes and blond jokes etc. It depends on where you saw it. Was it with something Gothic? I hope this helps.
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[Lorikeet]

In this case, black humor does not refer to African Americans. Here is an example: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/black+humor

It says "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. "