The core of this portion of our guide is on products that involve humor, which is the ability to be amused by something seen, heard, or thought about, often causing one to smile or laugh.

It can also refer to the comic, absurd, or incongruous quality that causes amusement. For example, stand-up comedians deliver humor, usually verbally, while joke books deliver humor in print.

Humor is a universal language that transcends cultural and linguistic barriers, bringing laughter and joy to people worldwide. It manifests in various forms, each with its unique style, purpose, and materials.

This is the shopping area of our guide, so we will focus on the products involved in producing or delivering humor in its many forms. Further information on the subject can be found in the corresponding category within our Sports & Recreation section.

Absurdity and jokes often rely on the unexpected and the illogical to elicit laughter. The primary product here is language itself. Wordplay, incongruous scenarios, and nonsensical statements are crafted using the flexibility of language. Books, scripts, and digital content like memes and social media posts are common mediums for these forms of humor. Additionally, props such as costumes, exaggerated accessories, and visual aids can enhance the absurdity.

Parody and satire involve imitating and exaggerating the style of a particular genre, work, or individual to critique or mock. These forms of humor often require an understanding of the source material. Products involved in the delivery of parody or satire may include video editing software, musical instruments, and costumes to recreate and exaggerate the original content. Television shows like "Saturday Night Live" and movies like "Scary Movie" utilize these products. Satirical cartoons and articles often rely on graphic design software and publishing platforms to reach an audience.

Puns are a form of wordplay that exploits multiple meanings of a term or similar-sounding words for humorous effect. The primary product is language here, although puns often appear in written form, such as greeting cards, advertisements, and books. Visual puns may involve graphic design tools to create images that play on words.

Stand-up comedy is a live performance art where comedians deliver a series of jokes and humorous stories. The key products involved include microphones, sound systems, and stage lighting to allow the comedian to be seen and heard clearly. Comedy clubs and theaters often provide the physical space for performances, and recording equipment and streaming platforms enable stand-up routines to reach a broader audience.

Sarcasm and self-depreciation often rely on tone and delivery to convey humor. Although these forms of humor are primarily verbal, written sarcasm can be found in literature, social media, and scripts.

Slapstick is a form of physical comedy often involving exaggerated actions and visual gags. Props such as pies, rubber chickens, and oversized hammers are standard in slapstick comedy. Examples include films and television shows like "The Three Stooges" and "Tom and Jerry." Slapstick requires choreography.

Dark comedy takes on serious, often taboo subjects with humor, providing a means of discussing difficult topics. The products involved in dark comedy include scripts that carefully balance humor with sensitivity, as well as visual and audio elements that set the tone. Films, television shows, and literature are common mediums for dark comedy.

Humor, in its many forms, relies on a wide range of products and materials to create and deliver comedic content. Since many of these products have multiple applications, there will be considerable overlap here. Those that imply an association with humor are particularly appropriate for this category.

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