The Jest (n.) springs from a cheerful mood that loosens mental cathexes; most people can jest when cheerful, but few can joke regardless of mood.
The Jest (n.) hides a problem, said Goethe of Lichtenberg — and sometimes the jest solves it too.
Jest (n.) has its rightful place in the midst of life's seriousness, for whoever knows his work proves only how far it falls short of the gift will have time for innocent jesting.
A Jest (n.) about everything is the privilege of the man earnest at the right place — and it sends a cold shiver down the spines of the dupes of earnestness.
Metacomedy (n.) is the vantage from which life's tragedy is seen as comedy, because its protagonists are really players.
Political comedy (n.) needs a villain in power, and suffers quietly whenever its own side wins.
Political comedy (n.) goes stale faster than the politicians it is about.
Political comedy (n.) is like serving people the meal they walked in carrying.
Political comedy (n.) is the cheapest way to look brave in a friendly room.
Stand-up comedy (n.) is graded out loud by the room, one second after every attempt, all night.
Stand-up comedy (n.) is like a doctor's appointment run backwards -- you tell strangers what hurts and they feel better.
Stand-up comedy (n.) is the trade of converting your worst year into your strongest five minutes.
Stand-up comedy (n.) is a socially acceptable form of aggression.
8 concepts in this list.