BBC 6分钟英语 What makes us laugh?

English, from BBC, learning English. Hello,

and welcome to Six Minute English.

I'm Alice, and I'm Neil. Okay, alice, I've got something for you here.

Question, yeah, you ready? What is the Mexican version of One direction?

Um, no idea.

One direction. Get it? Very good.

One direction. You know? Yes, yes, I get Never mind.

Can you guess what the subject of today's show is?

Instead? Is it bad? Joe Oh, come on.

That was a good little gag.

Yes. The subject of today show is what makes us laugh.

And in this context, to get something, e.g.

a gag or joke, means to understand it.

We all like to laugh. Well, not you, alice, apparen'tly, but most of us do.

It's good for our health. It reduces stress and releases feel good hormones in the body.

Hmm. Okay. Thank you now. But how about answering today's quiz question, which Greek word means the study of laughter and its effects on the body?

Is it a risology, B gelatology, or c comology?

Mm, that's difficult. And I'm going to say c comology because it's got the word comedy in it, you see.

Oh, very good. Okay, well, we'll find out later if you're right now.

Did you know we really laugh when we're on our own?

Laughter is a social thing that we generally like to share with other people.

Really. I laugh when I'm watching cartoons on my own, don't you?

Alice, no, neil, I don't. Anyway, some researchers believe that the purpose of laughter is related to the way we bond with each other, and the more we laugh, the more we bond as a group.

Hmm, interesting idea. It could explain why stand up comedy, where a comedian performs in front of and talks directly to their audience, is very popular entertainment.

But what does it take to keep your audience laughing?

Let's listen to Steve Burn, a successful US comedian, talking about this.

The one single thing an aspiring comedian should do is to write right, right and talk about the things that make them laugh.

Selfish, it's time to be selfish.

Time to be a little narcissistic.

What does it make you laugh?

Because that will get you closer to finding your voice, because ultimately, that's why people come see you.

So Comedians need to be selfish and narcissistic.

That sounds pretty negative. Yes, it does.

Narcissistic means being too interested in yourself, e.g.

your appearance or other personal qualities.

And aspiring means wanting to be successful in your chosen career.

And what does Steve mean when he says comedians need to find their voice?

Well, he means they need to talk about what they think in a way that's unique, meaning unusual or special to them.

OK, let's listen to Steve again talking about turning 40.

And what he finds funny about that when you turn 40, you will hear this in your life, and hopefully you'll hear it the rest of your life.

You look good for 40, you look good for 52.

You look great for 63. You look good for 19.

You think there's going to be some secret motion, or it's a magic shortcut to it all.

It's writing and getting up on stage.

It takes a lot of perseverance, and it's such a competitive occupation, you know, you just got to outwork everybody.

Well, we heard Steve making his audience laugh there.

And by the way, alice, you look fantastic for 40.

That's not funny, neil, I'm only 39, and you know it.

Anyway. Moving on, steve says there's no magic potion or shortcut to success.

You have to work hard. It doesn't happen by itself.

And perseverance means to keep on trying to achieve something, even when it's difficult.

He says, you have to outwork everybody, which means to work harder than everybody else.

Steve certainly doesn't make comedy so much fun, does he?

No. In fact, some people say there's a connection between depression and comedy, that comedians can be introverted and depressive.

Is that right? Introverts are generally quiet people who are more interested in their own thoughts and feelings than in spending time with other people.

Yes, you'd think that most comedians would be extroverts, people who are lively and enjoy the company of others.

OK, I think it's time for the answer to our quiz question.

Neil I asked, which Greek word means the study of laughter and its effects on the body?

Is it a risology, B gelatology, or c comology?

Yes, I said

c comology, which I

think I'm beginning to regret. Yes, well, indeed, sorry, I'm afraid that's the wrong answer.

It's actually B gelatology, which comes from the Greek word jealous, meaning laughed.

Okay, you can stop sneggering now, alice, and just tell us today s

words once again. All right, then here they are.

Get something, e.g. a joke, gag, stand up, comedy, narcissistic, aspiring, unique perseverance.

Outward Introverts, extroverts. Well, that just about brings us to the end of today's six minute English Next time.

Bye, bye.

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