Humor Me and Sense of Humor

English learners may be confused by two different uses of the word humor in English. This makes the idioms sense of humor and humor me especially confusing. The word humor can be used as a noun and a verb.

As a noun, humor means the quality of being funny or comedic, or of appealing to the absurd or incongruous in an amusing way.

Meaning of Idiom ‘Sense of Humor’

A sense of humor is the ability to appreciate humor and jokes and the ability to make good jokes and be funny.

Note that this does not imply that one is funny all the time or always joking, only the ability to appreciate humor and to be humourous.


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Examples Of Use

“I just told Fred the funniest joke ever and he just stared at me. He has no sense of humor.”

“My uncle has a great sense of humor. No matter what is happening, he is always able to see the humor in it and make us all laugh.”

“My teacher didn’t appreciate my sense of humor. I was just having fun.”

Another idiom that means sense of humor is to have a funny bone.

Humor as a Verb

The word humor can be used also as a verb. Today it means to indulge someone or to comply with their wishes, temperament, inclinations, caprices, etc. even though they might be unreasonable.

Meaning of Idiom ‘Humor Me’

Based on the way humor is used as a verb, humor me means “indulge me even though I may seem unreasonable right now.”

I know he’s difficult but please just humor him. We need his expertise.”

“There’s no way your idea is going to work,” said Becky. “Just humor me. I know it sounds ridiculous but you haven’t heard the whole plan yet,” replied Jason.

Note: The British spelling of humor is humour.

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