knee-slapper
LowInformal, Humorous
Definition
Meaning
A joke or story that is very funny.
An event, situation, or remark that is considered extremely amusing, often provoking loud laughter.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily used to describe a specific instance of humor perceived as highly successful. Often carries a slightly ironic or old-fashioned connotation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Slightly more common in American English, but understood in British English.
Connotations
In both varieties, it suggests a simple, physical kind of humor. In British English, it may sound more consciously American or dated.
Frequency
Infrequent in contemporary formal writing in both dialects.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[That/This] is a knee-slapper.He told a real knee-slapper.It was a knee-slapper.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “That's a knee-slapper!”
- “Now *that* was a knee-slapper.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except in very informal team-building contexts. 'His impression of the CEO was a real knee-slapper.'
Academic
Virtually never used.
Everyday
Used informally among friends and family to praise a joke. 'Grandad's story about the donkey was a proper knee-slapper.'
Technical
Not used.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- He has a very knee-slapping sense of humour.
- It was a knee-slappingly funny routine.
American English
- That was a knee-slapping good time.
- A night of knee-slapping comedy.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The clown told a knee-slapper.
- My uncle's joke was a real knee-slapper; everyone laughed loudly.
- Amidst the tense meeting, her witty remark served as an unexpected knee-slapper, lightening the mood.
- The comedian's astute political satire contained several genuine knee-slappers that had the audience in stitches.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine someone laughing so hard at a joke that they physically slap their knee – that's a KNEE-SLAPPER.
Conceptual Metaphor
LAUGHTER IS A PHYSICAL IMPACT (slapping). HUMOR IS A PHYSICAL OBJECT (something you can 'have' or 'tell').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation. It does not mean 'удар по колену' (a physical hit on the knee).
- It is not a formal term for 'анекдот' (anecdote/joke); it is a very informal evaluation of one.
Common Mistakes
- Using it to describe a serious or mildly funny story.
- Spelling it as 'knee-slaper' or 'kneeslapper'.
- Using it in a formal report or essay.
Practice
Quiz
In which context would 'knee-slapper' be LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is used to praise a joke or story as being very funny.
Yes, it very often can be, especially if said with a flat tone after a weak joke. 'Oh, that's a knee-slapper.' implies the opposite.
Not particularly. It has a slightly old-fashioned or even corny feel, which younger speakers might use intentionally for ironic effect.
All knee-slappers are jokes, but not all jokes are knee-slappers. 'Knee-slapper' specifically labels a joke as being *extremely* funny and successful.