The English language, as rich and diverse as it is, often presents us with words that defy expectations and break the monotony, instilling a sense of amusement and light-heartedness. Over time, some of these words have nudged our funny bones more often than others.
What makes these words so amusing, though? Why does the mere mention of “giggle,” “boob,” or “squiffy” make us smirk or laugh out loud?
What Makes a Word Funny?
A substantial part of this enigma lies in the psychology of humor, a field that delves deep into the inner workings of what makes us laugh. Psychologist Chris Westbury from the University of Alberta carried out an extensive study to scrutinize this intricate relationship between words and humor.
With a formidable statistical analysis of 45,000 words, he paved the way for us to create a unique list of the 250 funniest words in the English language. But more than just a list, it is an exploration of humor theory and a profound insight into our collective psyche.
What Are the Three Theories of Humor?
Westbury’s study draws from three theories of humor.
The first, superiority theory, suggests that humor often stems from the derision or mockery of others – a playful “You blockhead, Charlie Brown!” epitomizes this.
The incongruity theory, the second theory, points towards elements of surprise or the unexpected in situations or words as sources of laughter – an unexpected “slobber” can indeed incite chuckles.
Lastly, the juxtaposition theory posits that human actions, especially those deviating from norms or expectations, can incite laughter. Puking is a gross yet oddly humorous example of this.
These theories, combined with the concept of semantic and information predictors, provide the backbone to Westbury’s amusing compilation. Semantic predictors revolve around the meanings and emotions words evoke. For instance, words from categories like sex, bodily functions, insults, partying, and animals tend to be more amusing due to the emotions and scenarios they’re often associated with. Information predictors, on the other hand, focus on the form of the words.
Uncommon words or words with unusual letter combinations, such as those with a ‘k’ sound or ‘oo’ sound, are found to be more amusing.
But enough about the theories of what makes us laugh and why are some words funny, let’s jump into the list!
250 of the Funniest Words in the English Language
As we delve into this list of the 250 funniest words in English, let us remember that we’re not just embarking on a comedic ride. We’re also exploring the complexities of language, the human mind, and our shared social experiences.
Whether you’re a writer seeking the perfect humorous touch, a speaker aiming to connect with an audience, or simply a lover of language, this list provides an extraordinary exploration into how words can tickle our funny bones.
- Giggle
- Wriggly
- Squiffy
- Boobs
- Slobbering
- Puking
- Blockhead
- Upchuck
- Ninny
- Buffoon
- Bullocks
- Jackass
- Booze
- Shindig
- Pooch
- Critter
- Fink
- Oink
- Burp
- Snot
- Slaphappy
- Flapdoodle
- Gobbledygook
- Flibbertigibbet
- Poppycock
- Lollygag
- Gigglemug
- Fuddy-duddy
- Knickers
- Cockamamie
- Guffaw
- Flummox
- Skedaddle
- Lickety-split
- Topsy-turvy
- Noodle
- Piffle
- Flabbergasted
- Hootenanny
- Dillydally
- Snicker
- Jiggly
- Blubber
- Squeegee
- Humdrum
- Balderdash
- Higgledy-piggledy
- Riffraff
- Mumbo-jumbo
- Whippersnapper
- Snollygoster
- Snookered
- Malarkey
- Tomfoolery
- Shenanigans
- Gobbledegook
- Hullabaloo
- Bamboozle
- Folderol
- Claptrap
- Chortle
- Blatherskite
- Jamboree
- Hobnob
- Hoopla
- Rigmarole
- Tittle
- Befuddle
- Bumblebee
- Codswallop
- Doodad
- Hocus-pocus
- Flapjack
- Thingamajig
- Whatchamacallit
- Gadzooks
- Kerfuffle
- Zany
- Quibble
- Skullduggery
- Jabberwocky
- Popinjay
- Lickspittle
- Nincompoop
- Jibber-jabber
- Gobble
- Ticklish
- Kookaburra
- Giggly
- Hodgepodge
- Doohickey
- Pumpernickel
- Floozy
- Brouhaha
- Flummery
- Humbug
- Tom-tom
- Juggernaut
- Ballyhoo
- Whirligig
- Muffin
- Noodle
- Quip
- Bungle
- Fuddle
- Oomph
- Cackle
- Hoedown
- Dork
- Clodhopper
- Goofball
- Dingleberry
- Wobble
- Squee
- Rumpus
- Glom
- Gunky
- Fungible
- Zilch
- Squabble
- Ninnyhammer
- Gherkin
- Quibble
- Toot
- Googolplex
- Zigzag
- Diddly-squat
- Bippy
- Jiggle
- Yodel
- Faff
- Fluff
- Skittish
- Wobble
- Claptrap
- Gobble
- Fumble
- Jinx
- Wonky
- Prattle
- Flub
- Kinky
- Zonked
- Bop
- Woozy
- Nibble
- Quirk
- Brouhaha
- Klutz
- Dweeb
- Chortle
- Bungle
- Squawk
- Blurt
- Whizbang
- Squeak
- Fizzle
- Doodle
- Skedaddle
- Plop
- Snazzy
- Twerp
- Flummox
- Bobble
- Quark
- Hodgepodge
- Squabble
- Guffaw
- Boff
- Zippy
- Fiddle-faddle
- Boondoggle
- Loopy
- Gibberish
- Dillydally
- Yap
- Zonk
- Goon
- Flapjack
- Blabbermouth
- Whippersnapper
- Zigzag
- Cooties
- Dingbat
- Jabber
- Yawp
- Wimp
- Riffraff
- Hobbledehoy
- Flibbertigibbet
- Cockamamie
- Knucklehead
- Poppycock
- Yoyo
- Mumbo-jumbo
- Flummery
- Nincompoop
- Galumph
- Dunderhead
- Whirligig
- Flibberjibbet
- Jitterbug
- Gobbledegook
- Floozy
- Blatherskite
- Googol
- Yippee
- Clodpole
- Lummox
- Muckraker
- Malarkey
- Piddling
- Muffin-top
- Numbskull
- Quibble
- Ragamuffin
- Whirlybird
- Zonk
- Gadzooks
- Lickety-split
- Juggernaut
- Bobbery
- Ragtag
- Hullabaloo
- Whatchamacallit
- Lollygag
- Muffin
- Whoopee
- Fuddy-duddy
- Zigzag
- Thingamabob
- Sockdolager
- Rambunctious
- Kerfuffle
- Hobnob
- Flapdoodle
- Mumbo-jumbo
- Noodle
- Dinglehopper
- Pogonotrophy
- Ninny
- Gobbledygook
- Hullabaloo
- Ballyhoo
- Klutz
- Blubber
- Quacker
- Poppycock
- Dunderhead
- Ben
These words can range from uncommon ones with unusual letter combinations, words related to sex, bodily functions, insults, partying, and animals, to words that evoke a specific emotional response. Remember to mix in words with the letter ‘k’, the ‘oo’ sound, and the ‘le’ ending to maximize the giggle potential!
This list is by no means exhaustive, and the beauty of language is that there are always more hilarious words to discover and laugh at. Whether it’s a common word used in an uncommon way, or an obscure word that just sounds funny, humor can be found anywhere if we look for it.
This delightful list presents an assortment of some of the funniest words, making for a linguistic rollercoaster. Now, whether you’re feeling squiffy or just need a good giggle, you can take your pick from this catalog of amusing English words!
