Self-deprecation (etymologically better is self-depreciation) is a form of humor in which people or comedians make jokes about themselves, their shortcomings, or their culture, usually without being guided by any underlying self-esteem issues. The boundaries for this kind of humor are often more relaxed than for other kinds of humor. For example, whereas a Jewish joke told by a non-Jew may be considered anti-semitic and offensive, the same joke told by a Jew may be taken in good humor. The ability to laugh at oneself and the absurdities in one's own culture is often considered a good character trait.
   Many comedians use self-deprecating humor to avoid seeming arrogant or pompous, and to help the audience identify with them. A number of comics, including Conan O'Brien, Phyllis Diller, Rodney Dangerfield, Jon Stewart, Woody Allen, Seth Neller, Dave Hughes, and, later in his career, George Burns - built their entire acts around their own perceived unattractiveness, weight, age and/or lack of appeal to the opposite sex.
   Self-deprecation can also be used to better oneself in social situations.

External results