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Original poster

Can one learn to be Witty?

53 replies

MartaTam · 07/10/2018 21:40

If so how? Is there like a framework of wittiness one can follow as a beginner? How do people like Jimmy Carr do it?

Pls give some examples.

OP posts:

iklboo · 07/10/2018 22:19

It's a joke, but also a pun.

Original poster

MartaTam · 07/10/2018 22:20

I just surround myself by people that do

Well I’ve got you lot here and no ones said anything witty so far, so that isn’t working.

OP posts:

Original poster

MartaTam · 07/10/2018 22:22

Amra - I think you might be onto something there. English is not my first language and I’m much quicker in my native language.

OP posts:

HeddaGarbled · 07/10/2018 22:23

I think it’s probably natural. I do know people who are clearly trying to say something funny in response to everything and they just come across as artificial and idiotic and irritating.

UniversalTruth · 07/10/2018 22:24

Yes, I think my "wit" is more repartee than one liners. Sorry to dissapoint.

UniversalTruth · 07/10/2018 22:26

*disappoint. Never claimed I could spell.

iklboo · 07/10/2018 22:27

It falls under this definition of wit:

a natural aptitude for using words and ideas in a quick and inventive way to create humour.

It's really hard to be spontaneously 'witty'. There usually has to be a set up, scenario or cause of events that leads to the witty comment, if that makes sense. You can't just say 'I say banana, you say something witty'. Jimmy Carr et al spend months writing jokes, quips, scripts etc.

But you're right - humour can be very different in different languages

ClemClemFandango · 07/10/2018 22:31

It's all subjective though isn't it. I'm not generally witty, but I come into my own when I'm comfortable with close friends, and especially DH and DC. So, I think that funnier (wittier) people must be secure within, confident and happy to put themselves out there.

Either that or it's just easier when you know what makes your friends and family laugh.

pallisers · 07/10/2018 22:33

I really don't think you can learn to be witty.

I have 3 children and the youngest is by far the brightest and best read and most intellectual. She is also very extrovert. The other 2 are more introverted and less academic and well read. But my eldest is so so witty. A lot of the time he isn't that engaged but when he is he is very funny. It isn't like there is a set up it is just when a subject arises he can say something very funny and apt about it. I was/am the same myself. The youngest is funny sometimes but not like him. It is just a thing he has.

So I do think being witty is a bit of a "born with it" thing. But I do think you can be is interesting with minimal effort. Read the newspapers, have an interest in the people you talk to, be curious. You will be regarded as a more interesting friend than the witty people if you do this. Actually if I had to give advice to anyone about how to be witty/friendly/interesting I would simply say "be curious"

waterlego6064 · 07/10/2018 22:35

I think it’s something you either have or don’t. Like PPs, I think I’m fairly witty. I make my friends and kids laugh a lot anyway. My brother is also very witty, and good with word play, but also has a very dark sense of humour which can sometimes go awry.

I am very, very attracted to wit in men. It is probably my biggest turn-on. Tis why I love Jarvis Cocker so very much.

My OH is fairly amusing, I would say, but every so often, he says something utterly genius, incisive and hilarious. Occasional flashes of a great wit! Very attractive.

UniversalTruth · 07/10/2018 22:37

So, I think that funnier (wittier) people must be secure within

I disagree with this. I learnt at school to use my wittiness to be accepted in friend groups. Completely due to lack of security.

pallisers · 07/10/2018 22:41

My OH is fairly amusing, I would say, but every so often, he says something utterly genius, incisive and hilarious.

Waterlego, this describes my son. It is really funny as his sisters are frar more extrovert and high achieving (well one of them) but he says things sometimes off handed at dinner which are just pure genius, incisive and hilarious.

jackio2205 · 07/10/2018 22:46

I think one of the main 'tricks' to it all is to laugh at yourself, when you can do that and genuinely not have to come back with something, then your good to go because it's then funny and not defensive, you're not trying to hurt someones feelings?

sonlypuppyfat · 07/10/2018 22:49

DH and DS are funny, DS is very sharp and I don't think he's read a book outside of school. I think you are funny or you're not

iklboo · 07/10/2018 22:56

I definitely made lots of digs about myself so it was 'out there' before other people said it.

calderdalechange · 07/10/2018 22:58

I totally stole DH's wit. We've been together so long I can predict his responses and, thus, his witty responses. Makes me sound hilarious to people who don't know him

SondheimFan · 07/10/2018 22:58

I don’t think funny and witty necessarily overlap. And both depend on your circles — there are people who think that Les Dawson one-liners (eg ‘My wife is a sex object — every time I ask for sex, she objects’) are Wildean in their witticism.

itsbritneybiatches · 07/10/2018 23:11

It's all about confidence.

And your social circle.

SpacePenguin · 07/10/2018 23:21

I think it can be learned, or at least developed. I don't think I was witty as a child or young adult, but I was extremely lacking in confidence and would freeze in social situations. Like, my brain would be blank - it's not like there were witty things I wished I'd said. With age has come confidence, and I'm still surprised that I can genuinely make people laugh with the ideas that pop into my head.

I also have a job that requires me to come up with new ideas all the time (this is not a role I actively sought, more of an evolution of my role over time) and I think there's definitely a link.

If you'd asked me 10-15 years ago I would have said I'm hopelessly lacking in wit and definitely not an ideas person, but apparently I'm quite good at both. I still don't really believe that, and I still get painful moments where I freeze up with social anxiety and can't even think of the most normal words never mind a witty retort. But I've begun to accept that it's true - it's weird because I've had to redefine who I thought I was.

It's probably true that I always had the capacity to be witty, but it took me a long time to develop it. Not sure how/if you can you tell if someone has the capacity to be witty.

Redyoyo · 07/10/2018 23:33

I have always been quite witty and my dds are both witty too, my dh is the opposite. I think its definitely something that comes natural to people, it can't be learned.
In fact my dh whole family don't do witty at all, me and my girls are wasted on them!

itsbritneybiatches · 07/10/2018 23:33

@ClemClemFandango

Totally agree.

To be yourself and have the confidence to speak out so to speak is what allows you to be funny or witty.

Titsywoo · 07/10/2018 23:33

I dont get your reply to me op . I meant my friends and family find me funny (them being who I surround myself by). I'm not going to start spouting witty one liners on here to prove I'm funny! It's not exactly a natural situation is it. They'd just be jokes and I'm not a comedian. Not really sure of the point of this post? You want to find out how to be funnier? Or you want a load of random strangers to say funny things? Not sure what the purpose of that would be?

itsbritneybiatches · 07/10/2018 23:37

@MartaTam
Test me if you like.

I will prob fail.

Out of my comfortable zone see xx

KlutzyDraconequus · 07/10/2018 23:41

Some people think I'm funny for some fucked if I know reason.
I have a very dry and deadpan humour tho thst works well in the real world with quips and sarcasm and wordplay.
Other people can tell funny anecdotes, but I don't have the memory to tell funny stories.

itsbritneybiatches · 07/10/2018 23:47

Read the dolphin thread please.
The whole thread is hysterical.
Been laughing my tits off at every post.

So many examples of funny as fuck.

You will never want to swim with a dolphin again! Best thread to end a weekend ever

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