This is something I've been thinking about a lot. (I've been trying to write funny poems.) I think there are different flavors of humor, but some ways to be funny that I've come up with:

- being unexpected, as lil mentioned. -being related but in an unexpected way, as rezzeJ is kind of getting at, and also lil with the biker comment. My dad does this a lot. Here's an example of something I said recently that he found funny, to illustrate: I was giving him directions to my new house and I said, "OK, once you get into the neighborhood you'll hit a stop sign. Well - don't hit it, try just to stop at it, ok?" It's related to the topic being discussed but approaches it in an unexpected manner. - hyperbole/exaggeration which can be related to -being wry

I also think people enjoy self-deprecating humor. I was sick recently and had a very hoarse voice. Went to Wawa for chicken soup and the man asked me how I was doing. I was buying OJ and soup so I figured it was probably really clear I was sick especially with my voice, but I just said I was doing so-so. He said "Better than bad right?" and I said "You're right! I could have lost my voice...But then I think there are some people out there who wouldn't mind if that happened!" This really took him by surprise and he laughed a lot. I think part of it was because it was unexpected, and maybe that's why self-deprecating humor works - because people don't expect you to poke fun at yourself - but I think it's also because I was willing to acknowledge, Hey! I don't think I'm the queen of everything! There's an upside to every situation!

I don't know. Some of my thoughts.