Why do people laugh? You asked Google – and here’s the answer

This is a list of key vocabulary and expressions from the article in order of how useful they are. The student must choose 6 items from the list to study in the lesson. The expressions in italics are additional and cannot be found in the article.

Nowadays

To tend to do something

To make fun of someone/ *To take the piss (out of someone)

To underestimateoverestimate 

To spot something/ someone

Odd

To yawn

To point out (something)

To get carried away

Profound

To bond (with someone)/ A bond (with someone)

To urge someone (to do something)/ An urge (to do something)

Striking/ To be struck by something

To burst out laughing

A query 

To giggle

Hilarious

Bizarre

To frown

To foster (meaning to encourage the development or growth of ideas or feelings)

To be on the ball

*Students should be aware that this expression is slightly rude.

15 conversation-provoking questions related to the article.

  1. Why do people laugh?

  2. Do you only laugh when things are funny, or are there other reasons to laugh?

  3. Do all cultures find the same things funny?

  4. What kind of jokes make you laugh a lot?

  5. Who is your funniest friend?

  6. Do you think that laughter in the workplace increases productivity?

  7. Do you have a favourite stand-up comedian?

  8. Are some jokes unacceptable because they are too offensive?

  9. Do men and women find different things funny?

  10. What’s the most you have ever laughed?

  11. Is it a myth that ‘laughter is the best medicine’?

  12. What TV shows or series do you find funny?

  13. How can we increase the amount of laughter in our lives?

  14. Does alcohol make things funnier?

  15. Is it possible to laugh too much?

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