Some Words Are Just Funny
Dying is easy. Comedy is hard. That quote has been ascribed to nineteenth-century actor Edmund Keene, and various other sources, but its truth is borne out by the many people who have tried to be funny and bombed. A corollary is that humor writing is hard too. Making people laugh at words on a page may be one of the most daunting tasks a human can undertake—right behind parallel parking. Fortunately, there are some words that make it easy. They sound funny all by themselves. Here are a few of my favorites. What are yours? Snorkel Brouhaha Gherkin Diphthong Hornswoggle Bungee Hooligan Aardvark Platypus Kerfuffle Carbuncle Pollywog Boondoggle The list grows. And life is funnier because of it.