Press Play with Madeleine Brand
A pun is not the lowest form of humor. Just ask this punslinger
“A pun is the lowest form of humor,” according to the musician and humorist Oscar Levant. That’s the pun-haters version of the quote, though. Pun-lovers say the quote really goes, “A pun is the lowest form of humor when you don't think of it first.” There are actually lots of people who hold the famously low form of humor in high esteem.
By Madeleine Brand • • 1 min read“A pun is the lowest form of humor,” according to the musician and humorist Oscar Levant. That’s the pun-haters version of the quote, though. Pun-lovers say the quote really goes, “A pun is the lowest form of humor when you don't think of it first.” There are actually lots of people who hold the famously low form of humor in high esteem. Case in point: there are pun competitions around the world, including the O. Henry Pun-off World Championship, which Wired senior editor Peter Rubin (fearfully) recently competed in.
