Comedy: May 21, 2025 Issue [#13139]
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 This week: Hyperbole
  Edited by: Robert Waltz Author IconMail Icon
                             More Newsletters By This Editor  Open in new Window.

Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter

Hyperbole is not easily dealt with. Usually, it collapses under its own weight.
         —Gwen Ifill

I think writers are prone to hyperbole sometimes.
         —John Legend

Hyperbole is something I'd better avoid.
         —Terry Gilliam


Letter from the editor

There are a million reasons to use hyperbole in comedy.

There are also a few reasons not to.

First, the basics: Hyperbole is a fancy Greek-derived word for exaggeration. The word itself is related to hyperbola, which is one of the conic (not comic) section curves you would have learned about in math class if you had been paying attention, which you weren't. Exactly what the linguistic connection is, I'm not sure, because they didn't teach us that in math or English classes.

It's pronounced "hy-PER-bo-lee," not "hyperbowl," which would be the name of the next step up from the Superbowl, if one can imagine such a thing. Since we're talking about exaggeration, sure, I can imagine it. I can also ignore it just like I ignore the Superbowl.

So, reason #1 to use hyperbole in comedy: exaggeration for emotional emphasis. You can say it took you forever to get your house clean enough for your mother-in-law to visit, but did it, really? No. It just took way longer than it should have, because your mother-in-law is a picky, condescending, passive-aggressive piece of work. Since it obviously didn't take "forever," or even a thousand years, but more like a day or so, anyone listening would understand that you meant you didn't want to do all that work.

Reason #2: Certain quantities just don't register on people. I've probably told around 500 jokes in my life (so far), but I'm going to tell you I told fifty thousand jokes, because 500 just doesn't seem like a lot for someone as funny, and old, as I am. (How many different jokes I've told, I'll just keep to myself.)

Reason #1,000,000: Proving that you can't count, because you didn't pay attention in math class.

As for reasons not to use hyperbole, well, just like with all comedy, it's important to read the room. Certain people, such as children, tend to take things literally (which is weird because they're always coming up with invisible friends, unicorns, fairies, honest politicians, and other things that only exist in their mind). Exaggerating in front of a person who takes things literally quickly turns the joke back around on you. Like, they might say, "It did not take forever to clean your house, or you'd still be doing it."

And then they laugh. Not with you. At you. And that's the worst thing ever.


Editor's Picks

No exaggeration, here are some funny things I found:

 City Of Rain Open in new Window. [E]
Working a political job in Chicgo.
by Father Zorro Author Icon


 
Whistle Stop Open in new Window. [ASR]
A bad habit is driving her crazy.
by Jatog the Green Author Icon


The Land Of Ons Open in new Window. [E]
Susan has a strange experience, waking in a strange land
by Sum1 Author Icon


 
Those Well-Mannered Zombies Open in new Window. [ASR]
I met some zombies by the lake.
by Teargen Author Icon


 
They Run Amok Open in new Window. [13+]
Overwhelmed by the telemarketers.
by Don Two Author Icon


Head Games Open in new Window. [E]
The job seemed easy for the money offered; almost too easy.
by 🌖 HuntersMoon Author Icon


 The Bird Is Not Amused Open in new Window. [13+]
CRAMP WINNER: You go in for a haircut, but something goes terribly, horribly wrong...
by THANKFUL SONALI 18 WDC Years! Author Icon

 
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Word from Writing.Com

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Ask & Answer

Last time, in "Moving Pictures" Open in new Window., I discussed the use of animated gifs.

Sum1 Author Icon: I confess that I can't stand gif, and here's why. The first time seeing one, it's cute. BUT, once it's posted on your feed, it's there forever. It only seems to disappear when several people post on the same feed, moving it off the screen.

         I can see how that can get real old real fast. My phone has a thing where if someone sends me a gif via text, it freezes after just a few repetitions so it's not constantly drawing attention to itself. One can always tap the image to re-animate it (if only that worked for my former houseplants).

So that's it for me for May! See you next time. Until then,

LAUGH ON!!!



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