1. LESSON 21: GOOD HUMOR HONORS ENGLISH I VOCABULARY

2. BANTER (noun) Good-humored, playful conversation. (intrans. verb) To converse in a teasing or playful manner. Example: The banter between the two comics appearing at the Rivoli is hysterically funny.

3. CARICATURE (noun) A representation, usually pictorial, which exaggerates or distorts the subject’s features to produce a comic or ridiculous effect. (trans. verb) To depict someone in such a way. Example: Closk’s book is more a caricature than a biography of the President.

4. DROLL (adjective) Amusingly odd or comical. Example: The storyteller delighted the children with the droll tale about the Nutcracker and the Mouse King.

5. FACETIOUS (adjective) a. Playfully humorous b. Jesting, often in an inappropriate or offensive way. Example: The facetious comments Mr. Webster made in class about my comedy were funnier than the skit itself.

6. FLIPPANT (adjective) Marked by a disrespectful frivolity or indifference; rudely witty Example: Mrs. Diaz scolded Hernando for his flippant remarks.

7. HILARITY (noun) Loud and lively merriment; boisterousness Example: There was much hilarity and celebration at my parents’ twenty-fifth anniversary party.

8. LUDICROUS (adjective) Laughable because of an obvious absurdity or ridiculousness. Example: The opera star sounded ludicrous singing “You Ain’t Nothing but a Hound Dog.”

9. MIRTH (noun) Gladness or lightheartedness, especially when expressed by laughter; gaiety, merriment. Example: When Tracy, Randy, and I get together for an evening, I know I have a couple of hours of mirth and merriment to look forward to.

10. WHIMSICAL (adjective) a. Playful or fanciful; imaginatively humorous. b. Characterized by unpredictability. Example: The whimsical writer has a special gift for creating fantastic fairy tales for children.

11. WITTICISM (noun) A witty or clever remark or saying. Example: Dorothy Parker was not only a brilliant satirist but also one of the finest masters of witticisms in America.