Sarcastic inside jokes, viral videos, Internet memes: what makes these funny? By looking at the nature of funniness through humor and laughter, Funny shows how analyzing humor can be serious business, turning a critical eye on the subject to get students both thinking and laughing. Funny calls readers to consider humor s cultural and historical contexts through both contemporary and classic examples. Political humor, humor s effect on health and well-being, and humor and social perspective name just a few of the diverse selections this timely reader offers.