gallows humor

Gallows humor is a type of comedy that involves making light of serious, dangerous, or uncomfortable situations, often related to death or disaster. It serves as a way for people to cope with stress, fear, or sadness by finding humor in difficult circumstances. This form of humor can help individuals process trauma, build camaraderie, and temporarily alleviate anxiety, but it may also be seen as inappropriate or insensitive depending on context. Essentially, it’s humor used as a psychological tool to handle challenging realities that might otherwise feel overwhelming.