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Humouring Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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humouring

[ˈhjuːmərɪŋ ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

making someone laugh

Humouring someone means to amuse or entertain them, often by making jokes or using lighthearted banter. It can also involve going along with someone's ideas or requests, even if you don't entirely agree with them, in order to please them or avoid confrontation. The act of humouring can vary in intensity from light teasing to more serious efforts at making someone feel better. This concept is often used in social settings where maintaining harmony and positivity is crucial.

Synonyms

amusing, entertaining, pleasing, soothing.

Examples of usage

  • She was humouring her friends with silly stories.
  • The teacher was humouring the students to lighten the mood.
  • He humoured his colleague's strange suggestions during the meeting.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • Humouring someone can create a sense of empathy and connection, essential in maintaining relationships.
  • Using humour as a coping mechanism can help alleviate stress and improve emotional well-being.

Cultural Significance

  • In British culture, humour is often dry or ironic, while American humour tends to be more expressive and bold.
  • Different cultures have unique forms of humour, ranging from slapstick to wordplay, showcasing varied comedic tastes.

Literature

  • Many classic authors, like Oscar Wilde and Jane Austen, used humour to critique societal norms and human behaviour.
  • Humour is a common trope in storytelling, allowing writers to address serious topics in a light-hearted manner.

Pop Culture

  • Comedy films often utilise characters who 'humour' others to build engaging storylines and comedic relief.
  • Stand-up comedians frequently explore themes of humouring in relationships, highlighting personal experiences for audience laughter.

Origin of 'humouring'

Main points about word origin

  • The word stems from the Latin word 'humor,' which originally referred to the body's fluids and their supposed influence on health and mood.
  • In the 14th century, 'humour' evolved to mean a person's mood or temperament, leading to its modern use related to fun and laughter.

The term 'humour' originates from the Latin word 'humor', which came from the term 'humorism', a theory in ancient medicine believed to define health as a balance among four bodily fluids: black bile, yellow bile, phlegm, and blood. The notion of balancing these humours was thought to affect not just physical health but also temperament and personality. The evolution of 'humour' in the English language began in the late Middle Ages, where it referred to a person's mood or disposition. Over time, the meaning expanded to encompass the capacity to perceive and express what is amusing or comical. The adaptation of the word into the verb form 'humouring' highlights the social function of humour, particularly in relationships, as it denotes both the act of providing amusement and the process of yielding to someone else's desires for the sake of social harmony.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #37,606, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.