what is wit?

[paragaster]

I want to know whether wit is a creative byproduct. The clever seem to be witty. Or is wit a summary told in a particular way.? It is said "Brevity is soul of wit". Of course. Long and windy explanations are considered to be deceitful. I am not a witty guy though. I am quite comfortable being sensible.

Where do we place "wit" in importance.?

[DrKrettin]

There must be a correlation between wit and intelligence, because wit is the ability to see irony and ambiguity, and recognise the absurdity of human endeavour. Perhaps I claim this because some people say I'm a great wit. Others disagree, claiming that's overstated and that I'm only a half wit.

[StringJunky]

There must be a correlation between wit and intelligence, because wit is the ability to see irony and ambiguity, and recognise the absurdity of human endeavour. Perhaps I claim this because some people say I'm a great wit. Others disagree, claiming that's overstated and that I'm only a half wit.

Yes, Oscar Wilde and Mark Twain come to mind who I think personify that attribute.

[Acme]

Q: What is the difference between humor and odor?

 

A: Humor is a shift of wit.

[Phi for All]

Most things we consider witty are inconsistent with the pattern they pretend to follow. We have certain expectations that are broken in novel, silly, or clever ways.

 

Puns seem witty and clever because they're like gratifying mini-puzzles, easily figured out in the course of normal conversation pace. Example: Two peanuts are walking down a dark alley. One was assaulted.

 

Misdirection is another path to wittiness. Make people think they know what you're going to say, then change direction unexpectedly.