osarusan wrote: » In mass about 25 years ago, at that point where everybody has to say the response on cue to the prayer that was just said. The priest had just announced what the response should be, and it was a really long one, too long to remember, so everybody just murmured something that sounded vaguely like it. When it came time to say the response as prompted, my father said the first couple of words correctly, then just said 'and something else.' The first time I just shot him a surprised look, but he did it again 'and something else again' and I cracked up laughing, causing him to do the same. It was one of those times where we'd stop, only to be set off again for any reason at all. It went on forever and my mother was furious but could do nothing.
cml387 wrote: » I remember an episode of the Mary Tyler Moore show where Chuckles the clown died. Chuckles was at a parade in fancy dress, dressed as a peanut and an "Elelphant tried to shell him". The whole newsroom was in hysterics while Mary was appalled at their insensitivity. At the funeral however the tables are turned. It's worth finding on youtube if you can.
Mr. Incognito wrote: » I have a theory that Laughing is just when the brain is overwhelmed and is a kind of shock. That's why punchlines that are unexpected deliver the best jokes.
jimgoose wrote: » It's common enough, laughing at funerals and so forth. These days some shrinks think it might be part of a very old sort of defence mechanism:https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/happiness-in-world/201101/why-we-laugh