Laughter is the sensation of feeling good all over and showing it principally in one place. – Josh Billings

Last year I subscribed to a magazine called Ode because it said it was “for intelligent optimists.” Not that I necessarily felt either optimistic or intelligent, but I knew I needed something that could help me feel more positive. And this year I need it more than ever. I think we all do.

I’ve been reading their issue that’s entirely about laughter: how laughter evolved; why laughter in the workplace makes business sense; the health benefits of laughing, and more.

There are several different kinds of laughter explained in a sort of field guide. I’ll paraphrase or editorialize or create my own definitions here:

Belly laugh involuntary and intoxicating laugh that bypasses the brain and goes right to the funny bone

Cackle like the Wicked Witch of the West of course

Chuckle he-he-he or ha-ha-ha meaning I agree, approve, or maybe don’t really know what you’re talking about

Contemptuous laugh specialty of the mocking bully or the snob (we all probably know a few of each)

Existential laugh subdued laugh at seemingly inappropriate times like during discussions of death and taxes. This reminds me of one of my favorite episodes of the old Mary Tyler Moore Show where Mary had an embarrassing laughing fit at the funeral of Chuckles the Clown. In fact her laugh turned into more of a belly laugh, with tears. (see above)

Giggle like the Big Bopper sang “A wiggle and a walk and a giggle and a talk made the world go round”

Guffaw explosive laugh that gets the whole body involved

Nervous laugh perfect for embarrassing situations like "oh, was I speeding, officer?"

Revolutionary laugh flipping the bird to power

Satirical laugh shake your head and say "if I didn’t laugh I’d have to cry"

Social laugh inviting to socialize laugh - songlike in women, apelike in men

I haven’t read the entire issue yet. I’m reading it bit by bit as a reminder of how important laughter really is to our health and happiness. I love to laugh, although sometimes I need to make a conscious effort to find my sense of humor, thpse times when I take myself too seriously.

My favorite aunt laughs about the time a woman came up to her and said, “I always thought your mother was so pretty. You must take after your dad.”

My great aunt has a cute story, too. Once when she noticed a friend’s new jacket, the friend said, “This thing is so big. I don’t even know why I bought it. It would fit an elephant! Do you want it Betty?”

I love the way inhercat frequently uses the acronym LMAO (laugh my ass off). Another one that Thomas used when he was around more is ROFL (rolling on the floor laughing). For some reason I don’t seem to get past the basic LOL (laugh out loud) most of the time. Maybe I need to stop being so prissy and just LMAO.