Do you know how to be silly? Do you ever wonder if you have lost the ability to let loose a little and have fun? I miss the days of small children at my feet who bring out the silliness in me. It is so easy to get caught up in the seriousness of life and quit laughing and being silly.
Would you believe I pray for laughter?
I am trading seriousness for silliness for a few days. How about you?
Please share with us a few ways you know how to be silly and bring laughter into your life.
Over the next few weeks, I will be taking a short break to allow time to find my creative side and work on a project which is dear to my heart. Of course, I will also take a few days to be silly. You probably won’t even notice I am gone. However, a few minor things will change.
Grace and Truth Link-Up will still be here each Friday, so don’t go anywhere. However, we will not have a featured post on “Embracing the Unexpected” until July 19th. Please do stop by and post one of your favorites articles from the week. You can also visit the other hosts and see what fantastic posts they have chosen to highlight.
Now for this week’s link up! Let’s bless and encourage one another.
Grace & Truth exists to point people to Jesus! We hope this link-up will be a source of encouragement every week. If you’re a blogger, we hope you’ll use this space as a way to meet new friends within the Christian blogging community. If you’re a reader, we hope that you’ll encounter new bloggers that love Jesus as much as you do! Most of all, we hope you’ll meet Jesus here.
Join us each Friday for the Grace and Truth Link-Up!
To receive a weekly reminder of when the link-up goes live subscribe to Embracing the Unexpected by clicking here .
Maree Dee – Embracing the Unexpected
BLOG | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST | TWITTER
Aimee Imbeau – A Work of Grace
BLOG | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | PINTEREST
Heather Hart – Real Women. Real Life. Real Faith.
BLOG | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | PINTEREST
1.) Follow your hosts via their blog and social media channels. Following is not mandatory, but appreciated!
To receive a weekly reminder of when the link-up goes live subscribe to Embracing the Unexpected by clicking here .
2.) Leave 1-2 of your most recent CHRISTIAN LIVING posts. Please do not link DIY, Crafts, Recipes, etc. We will delete these links. We also reserve the right to remove articles that don’t align with the theme or that are deemed by the hostesses to be inappropriate.
3.) Visit 1-2 other links and leave a meaningful comment! We want to encourage community, so please don’t link and run!
4.) We sort all links randomly – feel free to link as early or as late as you’d like. The playing field is even!
Featured Post Requirements
5.) Grab a button or link back to encourage new linkers. It is not mandatory, but it is required to be featured.
6.) Each host will choose one link to emphasize and promote via their social media channels next week.
Grab a Badge and Link Back to this Post.
Now Let’s Link Up!
We Have A Free Gift For You
Download your gift today! This powerful prayer packet includes a worksheet for using the prayer acronym T.R.U.S.T. and more. Click here to receive your printouts today.
We would love to have you join our community.
Embracing the Unexpected | Maree Dee
Subscribe today and never miss a post.
To find a few of my favorite places where I might be sharing this post, click here .
If you liked this post, please share someone else might too.
Like this:
- By: Maree Dee
- /
- 15 Comments
- /
- Be Still – Be Present, Encouragement, Grace & Truth Link-Up
- /
By Maree Dee
Maree Dee is a Writer | Speaker | Advocate | Ministry Leader – passionate about encouraging and equipping others to embrace life in the midst of the unexpected. She is a warrior who doesn’t give up when the journey gets tough. Maree believes, together with God, we can all find incredible joy along the way even when surrounded by tremendous pain.
(This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, see my disclosure policy.)
- Total 1.5K
- Facebook 148
- Twitter 16
- Pinterest 1.3K
- Mix
- Yummly 0
I am not the fun parent. In our family, that title belongs to my husband. He is the spontaneous one, the laid back one, the one who says “yes” to kids wanting to go on electronics or have extra ice cream. I’m the rules one, the schedule one, the responsible one. Part of that probably stems from me being an oldest and part of it is just habit or personality. The thing is that I want my kids to have fun memories of me so I try to make a conscious effort to do fun things with them and go outside of my comfort zone. Sometimes it’s big things like vacations or our family fun nights or making a themed party just for the fun of it, but it’s actually the everyday things that are more of a struggle for me.
It is actually really hard for me to lighten up and laugh with my kids. I’m always worried about doing what needs to be done and making sure that the dishes are done and that everyone is going to get fed. While there is some benefit to that, it can mean not only that I miss out on the fun moments, but that my kids miss out on seeing the fun side of me.
I’m often watching them play outside while I’m inside. Or I will take them places that are fun like playgrounds or parades or events, but I am mostly on the sidelines. I don’t want my kids to only think of me as the mom who drove them places.
It seems ridiculous to say that I actually have to write these things on a to-do list in order to do them, but I do. I will literally write “dance in kitchen with kids” on my list. Sure, maybe that sounds like it takes all the fun and spontaneity out of it but I’ll tell you that when the kids and I are giggling as we jump up, jump up and get down, it doesn’t matter to them that I had to add it to my list!
- Pretend to make the bed while they are still in it.
- Tell corny jokes (commonly known as ‘dad jokes’).
- Make silly faces.
- Put on some music and dance in the kitchen (songs like Macarena and the Chicken Dance are particularly good for laughing).
- Teach them Pig Latin or make up a new language together.
- Initiate a tickle war.
- Have a backwards day.
- Actually play on the playground with them: swing on the swings, climb up the jungle gym, balance on the teeter totter.
- Have a pillow fight.
- Roll down a hill.
- Have a tongue twister race.
- Splash in puddles.
- Jump rope or Chinese skipping.
- Make food in fun shapes or add some food colouring.
- Eat ice cream for breakfast.
- Play Twister.
- Try to keep a straight face and have the kids try to make you smile.
- Sit down on the floor and play with them.
- Make ghost hands.
- Face paint (make sure that you let the kids paint your face too!).
- Let them style your hair or do your make-up or paint your nails.
- Build a fort with them out of blankets and then climb inside and have a tea party.
- Dress up like clowns.
- Have a sponge fight.
- Skip in public. Better yet, jump up and click your heels together.
- Talk in rhymes all day.
- Have a silly string fight.
- Try to talk with marshmallows in your mouth.
- Play the flour game (so funny!).
- Play with punch balloons.
It’s still a stretch for me to try to be goofy. I’m the one getting in my own way of having more fun but just like anything, the more I practise, the better I get at it.
When we had our punch balloon ‘war’, I was worried that one would break and hurt someone or that some of the kids would take it too far, but it ended up being just fun. I was laughing harder than the kids were. And yes, some of the punch balloons broke but no one got hurt, no one cried and we came out of it with another memory to add in to their childhood memory banks.
I encourage you to try to add in a little bit of silly to your day today. Let me know how it goes!
adjective, sil·li·er, sil·li·est.
noun, plural sil·lies.
VIDEO FOR SILLY
WATCH NOW: Is “Silly” A Positive Or Negative Word?
Silly means “weak-minded or lacking good sense; stupid or foolish: a silly writer,” or “absurd; ridiculous; irrational: a silly idea,” or “stunned; dazed.” But, did it always mean these things? Why does everyone think it’s such an endearing word?
QUIZZES
TEACH YOURSELF THESE WORDS FROM CLASSIC HIGH SCHOOL BOOKS!
Origin of silly
SYNONYMS FOR silly
ANTONYMS FOR silly
synonym study for silly
OTHER WORDS FROM silly
Words nearby silly
BEHIND THE WORD
Where does silly come from?
You have probably heard someone say that language is constantly changing. We are definitely guilty of saying that here at Dictionary.com. But what does that mean exactly? Well, the story of the word silly is one clear—and fascinating—illustration.
Languages change in many ways. The sounds and forms of a language can morph. The underlying structures of a language can shift. New words are created. Old words die out. And as we see in the case of silly, the meaning of words can develop in some remarkable ways.
Today, we generally use the word silly to describe something as “foolish.” Something silly can be amusing, as when kids make silly faces or play silly games. Something silly can also be, more dismissively, stupid. For example: The politician’s promises were nothing but silly pipedreams.
But care to guess what the original sense of silly was? “Blessed.” We’re not being silly. Among the oldest recorded senses of silly—or, more accurately, the word that became our modern word silly—was “spiritually blessed.” Those senses are recorded in the early 1200s. So how did we get to “foolish”?
Dig deeper
Silly ultimately comes from the Old English (c.450–c1150) word gesǣlig, meaning “happy, blessed.” Talk about language change! Let’s break this gesǣlig down. That ge- is an Old English prefix that was effectively lost. That –ig became –y, which is all over English today, as in juicy or dreamy. And sǣl meant “happiness.”
During Middle English (c1150–1475), this gesǣlig developed into new forms (see our entry at the archaic word seely) and many new senses. The word acquired the senses of “holy, innocent, helpless,” then “pitiable” and “insignificant,” then “simple” and “ignorant.” By the mid- to late 1500s, silly had gained the meaning of “lacking good sense, foolish, irrational, ridiculous.”
It’s hard to say why, exactly, but there may be something of a through-line in the incredible sense development of silly. Something “happy” can be considered “favored by God.” Something “favored by God” can be considered “holy,” and so “innocent,” which may be said of a small animal or child who is “harmless” or “defenseless.” (Are you following us so far?) And if you can’t protect yourself or you lack power, you might be considered “worthless” or “miserable”—and so silly apparently jumps to “foolish.”
Did you know . ?
Like silly, many other familiar words don’t mean today what they meant centuries ago. Explore the origins of the following words for some more amazing examples of change in the English language:
- awful (literally “full of awe”)
- bully (originally meaning “sweetheart”)
- nice (“stupid” in Middle English)
Still having a hard time believing all these changes? Look to slang, which often flips something negative into a positive, as in bad or sick (“excellent”). Also consider all the ways digital technology has radically expanded the original meanings of words, such as tweet and viral.
Sometimes, we forget that the children we teach are just that—children. Humor, silliness, playfulness, and showing off are hallmarks of childhood, and we should expect to experience some at every grade.
Just for the fun of it
Children often act silly or show off because these are ways to have fun. They literally need to giggle with friends over something silly that happened, make funny faces that crack everyone up, or tell jokes. Knock-knock jokes in younger grades grow into puns in the middle grades which, in turn, give rise to jokes with innuendo by sixth grade. Although what children find funny changes, most love humorous poems, songs, books, and movies throughout childhood.
For a sense of belonging
Joking and showing off also help children connect to those around them. Children who laugh together feel close to one another, even if only for a moment. For some students, a shared moment of laughter can lead to close friendships. Humor, whimsy, and entertaining others are powerful ways that children get to know each other and solidify their sense of belonging.
For a sense of significance
Showing off and telling jokes are also ways children gain a sense of importance. Some children may only feel special when they’re the center of attention. Being a little more dramatic, a little funnier, or a little more “wild and crazy” is a way for these students to stand out from the crowd.
Silliness, showing off, and child development
Although silliness and showing off appear in every grade, they tend to be more pronounced in first, third, and fifth grades, times when most children are experiencing intensive growth in social areas. In the grades where children tend to be consolidating social growth—second, fourth, and sixth grades—students might actually need their teachers to bring out their humor and help relieve some of the pressure they put on themselves.
Some Child Development Characteristics Related to Silliness and Showing Off
1st grade characteristics (ages 5–7):
- Love jokes, riddles, guessing games
- Active; need to move a great deal
- Concerned with social issues
- Very verbal; very social
Influence on silliness and showing off:
- Need an audience to try out new jokes and humor
- Want to impress certain classmates
- May need more frequent social outlets than currently provided
3rd grade characteristics (ages 7–9):
- Tire easily
- Need to move a lot
- Very social; concerned with social issues
- Very verbal; like to explain things
Influence on silliness and showing off:
- Need more chances to move
- Are more concerned with social issues than academics
- Need to process what they’re learning by talking
5th grade characteristics (ages 9–11):
- Very social
- Often expressive and talkative
Influence on silliness and showing off:
- May need to joke and use humor to explain thinking
- Want to maintain and develop friendships through joking or exaggerating personal strengths
Naturally, children in every grade sometimes make ill-timed jokes, lose themselves in silliness, and show off too much. It takes children time to develop their comedic timing and ability to share center stage. With your guidance, they can learn to channel their natural desire for fun into productive (and still enjoyable) learning.
How to keep from holding yourself back.
Posted Mar 19, 2014
When is the last time you really had fun—the last time you just let yourself go and had a good time? When did you last forget about all your daily responsibilities and live in the moment? If it’s been too long, one of these assumptions about fun may be holding you back.
Read on to discover how to get over them and get yourself back out there:
1. You’re worried what other people will think. You don’t want to look silly in front of other people. You’re afraid they’ll judge you. Guess what? Other people don’t think about you nearly as much as you think they do. Besides, you’re not a mind reader: You can’t know what is going on in other people’s minds. And if they are judging you for being silly and having a good time, then they’re people you don’t need to know anyway. To quote Dr. Seuss: “Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.”
2. You think you need to spend money. It’s true: Some of the best things in life are free. You don’t need to go on a pricey vacation or buy a lot of stuff to have fun. Many times it’s just being in the moment with the people you care about. And that costs nothing. Check newspaper listings or local websites for ideas of fun low-cost activities in your community.
3. You think you don’t have the time. There is always time to have fun. I don’t care who you are or how little time you think you have—you can make the time. Also, fun is found in the little moments; you don’t need to carve out your whole day. Block out a half-hour to do something you enjoy, just for the fun of it.
4. You think you need to plan it. If you’re a Type A planner, keep in mind that the most fun can be found in spontaneous unplanned moments. Let things happen naturally. Let yourself experience spur-of-the-moment trips and last-minute get-togethers. Be in the present moment.
5. You mistake solemnity for seriousness. As Jim Morrison wrote, “No one gets out of here alive.” You’ve got one life, and it’s short. Enjoy it. It is possible to take something seriously and still inject some fun and humor into it. For example, if you’ve ever flown Southwest Airlines, you’ve seen how the company takes something serious, like safety instructions, and turns it into something fun. By doing this, not only will people enjoy themselves more, they’re also more likely to pay attention. So whoop it up at your next staff meeting.
6. You think conditions have to be perfect. Many fun moments occur when things go unexpectedly awry. Allow yourself to be imperfect and enjoy the imperfections of life. Humans are imperfect creatures, after all, and you’re one of them. Telling yourself, “I’ll have fun when…” is counterproductive and, frankly, a bummer. Have fun now: There’s no time like the present.
7. You think it has to be big and spectacular. News flash: Every day will not have 4th of July fireworks, parades, and parties. You can find fun in small moments. If you think real fun only happens at big events, you’re depriving yourself of some good times. Fun is what you make it. It doesn’t need to be spectacular, by any means. Sometimes it’s found in 5- and 10-minute increments.
8. You’re bored. There’s a symptom of depression called anhedonia, in which you no longer find interest or fun in things that previously got you excited. Also in ADHD it can be difficult to keep up novel tasks to excite the brain. On the other hand, if you’re just plain bored, that is a choice. You make the changes and opportunities in your life. Get out there and have fun.
Copyright 2014 Sarkis Media LLC
Silliness makes your soul smile!
Yesterday I talked about the importance of goofiness, silliness, and joy in the post “Sometimes, when you’re a kid, you just have to be kind of goofy!” Remember, the point was that goofiness is NOT just for kids! Today, I wanted to take that a little further. Why? Do you know how to be goofy? I bet you have a couple ideas. Yes those, in the back of your mind! Let them come out and play! You see sometimes we forget how to be silly. Or at least we think we have, especially if we’ve been depressed, or too busy, or too focused, or (for lack of a better word) too adult. But I think you’ll see that being goofy is just like riding a bike – once you get going (past that part of your brain that says that adults aren’t supposed to be goofy), you’ll be just fine – and laughing your head off!
So, without further ado, here are 101 ways to be goofy! Please feel free to give us your ideas on how to be goofy too! You can always reach the counselors of Life Skills Resource Group Orlando at 407-355-7378, our website, or our Facebook page. We love hearing from you! Our team of counselors is also here for your individual counseling, adult counseling, child counseling, couples counseling, and other mental health counseling needs.
How to be GOOFY:
1. Paint your face
2. Dress up in costume (with just makeup you could be a zombie and walk around looking for BRAAAAAAINS)
3. Go to the grocery store (or anywhere else) in costume
4. Choose a theme for the day, like triangles or orange: maybe you’ll only buy things in triangular packaging – maybe you’ll only eat things that are orange
5. Play with your food (arrange it into a picture!)
6. Have breakfast for dinner
7. Spoil your dinner with ice cream
8. Play MASH (or Duck Duck Goose or Red Rover or kickball)
9. Do your hair in a ridiculous way
10. Temporarily dye your hair (I’ve always wanted pink hair!)
13. Roll down a hill
14. Sing at the top of your lungs (How about “Do you know the Muffin Man”)
15. Dance – maybe even a dance routine with a friend (matching outfits. )
16. Wear your clothes backwards
17. Wear shoes that are too big for you
18. Try to put on an old piece of your clothing – old uniform? prom dress?
19. Tiptoe when you don’t need to be quiet
20. Knock on a friend’s door and ask if he/she can come out to play
21. Call a sibling and say “Tag! You’re it!”
22. Buy your pet a new toy and make sure it gets used
23. See how many marshmallows you can fit in your mouth
24. Host a talent show with friends – give crazy prizes to everyone (silly putty, slinkies, silly magnets)
25. Create your own Iron Chef: duel a friend in cooking with a mystery ingredient (recruit other friends to choose the ingredient and judge)
26. Cook or bake something that seems really complicated
27. When something goes wrong, look for what’s funny about it (maybe your chocolate souffle is a gooey mess – sounds fun and delicious!)
28. Have a food fight (in a place you can clean easily)
29. Put a bell or streamers on your bike – or better yet, a playing card in your spokes
30. Blow up a lot of balloons and draw faces on them
31. Surprise a friend – maybe fill the friend’s bedroom with balloons
32. Go to a pool and jump off the diving board – or the high dive
33. Do a cannonball
34. Paint a stick-figure self portrait
35. Put your art on the fridge
36. Make warm fuzzies and give them out
37. Make a caterpillar with Play-Doh
38. Spin in circles until you fall down
39. Race up the stairs
40. Play ball in the house
41. Build a blanket fort
42. Use sprinkles on food or glitter on anything else
43. Wear two different colored socks
44. Have a pajama party
45. Tell old stories with friends – if you’re not in the same place, use Skype or Google Hangout
46. Plan a ridiculous vacation (you don’t have to take it – just planning is proven to make us happy)
47. Paint your toenails with happy faces
48. Draw on the windows with window markers
49. Buy a silly toy in the dollar section
50. Wear a shirt that says “Free Hugs” – give out hugs all day
51. Run the bases at a local baseball field
52. Make up a new sport – make the rules as confusing as possible
53. Play a video game while laying upside down
54. Play a toy trumpet, harmonica, or other instrument all day
55. Do a cartwheel
56. Do a somersault
57. Do a handstand
58. Learn to ride a unicycle
59. Teach your pet a crazy trick and put it on Youtube
60. Organize a neighborhood pet fashion show
61. Jump in puddles
62. Celebrate International Talk Like a Pirate Day (September 19th, mateys!)
63. Do a dramatic reading of a story – make up different voices for all the characters
64. Lick the beaters after you make a dessert
65. Write a song
66. Invite friends over for the debut performance of your song
67. Send snail mail just because you were thinking of someone – draw them a picture in the card
68. Write a haiku
70. Compete to see who can make the best Shirley Temple (or other drink)
72. Draw your own comic strip
73. Photocopy your face
74. Make a poster to cheer up a friend
75. Decorate a friend’s car or house
76. Fill a friend’s lawn with pink flamingos
77. Have a staring contest
78. Make the tallest sandwich you can
79. Build a card tower
80. Start a tradition – maybe a birthday hat or a white elephant gift that gets passed around your family
81. Bounce on a trampoline
82. Sing into your hairbrush or toothbrush
83. Spray paint your old shoes
84. Put a puzzle together, write a note on the back, and then take it apart and give to a friend
85. Combine two of your favorite board games into one
86. Use your camera’s timer to take pictures of you jumping – see how many people you can get in the air at once
87. Make silly faces in the mirror (or at a friend)
88. Make up your own jokes – try them out on friends
89. Draw a flipbook
90. Play on a jungle gym or slide
91. Have a scavenger hunt
92. Duel with lightsabers – be sure to make the lightsaber noise
93. Take your stuffed animal for a piggyback or shoulder ride
94. Leave a Nerf gun out for a roommate with a note that you have yours and the game begins now
95. Run with your arms out like an airplane, yelling “Wheeeeeee!”
96. Climb a tree
97. Play hide and seek – or Marco Polo
98. Practice different laughs – an evil laugh makes people wonder what you’re up to
99. Keep silly pictures around (like you in a costume) and tell the story of the pictures frequently
100. Invite an acquaintance to be goofy with you
101. Write yourself a reminder that it’s ok to be goofy and put it somewhere you’ll see it
A few years ago, I had the pleasure of speaking at the same event as Kevin Richardson, aka the Lion Whisperer, aka this dude:
Before the event, he and I were talking and when he found out I did stand-up comedy, his reaction was, “I could never do that, it’s too scary.” This, from a guy who LIVES WITH LIONS.
But that’s what a lot of people think; they think being funny is something you’re either born with or you will never be able to do.
The reality is that humor is a skill. And if it’s a skill, that means humor can be learned.
I’ve done over 1,000 shows as a performer. I’ve spoken or performed in all 50 states, 18 countries, and 3 continents. I’ve opened for Pauly Shore, performed with Rachel Dratch, and had a joke go viral.
And yet, a few years ago, when I went to my high school reunion and old classmates found out I did comedy, their response was, “But you’re not funny.”
In some ways they were right because this is not the face of funny:
There is a lot that’s funny about this picture, but none of it is intentional. I have the old school blonde tips; my clothes are too baggy for me; the theme was “Into a Dream…” I am no one’s dream in this picture.
Growing up, I was never the life of the party or class clown. I am very much an introvert; if you know Myers-Briggs, I’m INTJ. If you know Star Wars, I’m R2D2.
But in college, my best friend wanted to start an improv group, he needed people and forced me to join. And I was terrible. I tried too hard to be clever, I made only bad jokes, and I was constantly nervous.
But over time, with practice and repetition, I got better. The nerves went away, I felt more comfortable on stage, and I started to see the world through a more humorous lens.
As I improved on stage, first as an improviser and then as a stand-up comedian, I also became funnier in everyday situations. I started adding humor to my presentations, at the end of my emails, and in conversations. My reaction time was quicker, I was able to think faster on my feet, and I had better delivery when I added a funny comment to a conversation.
Soon, I became obsessed with learning everything I could about comedy. I read every comedy book I could find, went to live shows every week, and watched comedy specials over and over to see how different comedians made people laugh. I also practiced and performed nearly every single day.
Then, as Humor That Works started to grow, I started teaching comedy. First to people who wanted to do stand-up or improv, then to people who wanted to add it to their presentations, then to people who just wanted to be wittier in everyday situations.
Along the way, my belief has been reaffirmed: you can learn to be funny. Or at least, funnier.
There’s no magic formula to learning to be as funny as Louis CK, Eddie Izzard, or Ellen (some of my favorites). That takes years of hard work, hours of practice (10,000+ if we believe Malcolm Gladwell), and probably some intangibles that we’ll never truly know.
But anyone can learn to be witty in conversations, to add humor to their work, or to write funny tweets. Because if this kid…
… can learn to do it, anyone can.
So how does one learn to be funny? That’s what I’ll be explaining over the next series of blog posts or you can check out my TEDx talk on the Skill of Humor. To get the posts as they come out, follow me on Twitter or Facebook, or sign up for the Humor That Works newsletter.
Definition of silly
Definition of silly (Entry 2 of 3)
Definition of silly (Entry 3 of 3)
Keep scrolling for more
Other Words from silly
Synonyms & Antonyms for silly
Synonyms: Adjective
- birdbrained,
- ditzy
- ( or ditsy ) ,
- dizzy,
- featherbrained,
- flighty,
- frivolous,
- frothy,
- futile,
- giddy,
- goofy,
- harebrained,
- light-headed,
- light-minded,
- puerile,
- scatterbrained,
- yeasty
Antonyms: Adjective
- earnest,
- serious,
- serious-minded,
- sober,
- unfrivolous
Visit the Thesaurus for More
Choose the Right Synonym for silly
simple, foolish, silly, fatuous, asinine mean actually or apparently deficient in intelligence. simple implies a degree of intelligence inadequate to cope with anything complex or involving mental effort. considered people simple who had trouble with computers foolish implies the character of being or seeming unable to use judgment, discretion, or good sense. foolish stunts silly suggests failure to act as a rational being especially by ridiculous behavior. the silly antics of revelers fatuous implies foolishness, inanity, and disregard of reality. fatuous conspiracy theories asinine suggests utter and contemptible failure to use normal rationality or perception. an asinine plot
Examples of silly in a Sentence
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word ‘silly.’ Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of silly
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4
1731, in the meaning defined at sense 2
1560, in the meaning defined above
History and Etymology for silly
Middle English sely, silly happy, innocent, pitiable, feeble, from Old English sǣlig, from sǣl happiness; akin to Old High German sālig happy
Grow Your Business, Not Your Inbox
I had a conversation recently with someone who confided that they were sick of work. “Everything feels too routine. I get pushed around and everyone expects me to be funny all the time,” they said. Seeing they were a bit stressed, I recommended they switch off for the evening and suggested a visit to the circus. The person started sobbing. “But that’s where I work,” they bawled. “As one of the clowns.”
OK, let me take this a bit more seriously and tell you about a real conversation I had recently with a client who likes to use humor in the workplace. They confided in me that they were concerned that their jokey manner was creating a reputation as someone lacking in seriousness, professionalism and maturity, and they asked me if they should tone things down. It’s pretty cheerless that in 2019, after all the surveys about lack of engagement, wellbeing and authenticity in the workplace, people are still struggling to be their natural selves. I gave the following response: Humor in the workplace can be both career-enhancing and a powerful social intelligence tool, but it needs to be executed with skill and purpose.
An oft-cited Robert Half survey found that “91 percent of executives believe a sense of humor is important for career advancement, while 84 percent feel that people with a good sense of humour do a better job.” Indeed, in The Humor Advantage: Why Some Businesses Are Laughing All The Way To The Bank, Michael Kerr reflects that in this day and age, people who take themselves too seriously in the workplace are often taken less seriously by others. It reminds me of the joke about the humorless office worker who went for a promotion. He didn’t get it.
Studies and research show that humor in the workplace can be highly beneficial and drive up productivity, promote wellbeing, break down barriers and create a more human and authentic environment. That said, humor has boundaries that must be carefully observed and managed. Here are three essential habits to take into account when being funny in the workplace.
1. Familiarize yourself with the basic mechanics of humor.
There are many varieties of humor, e.g. self-deprecating, put-down, bonding, observational, verbal wit, slapstick, surreal, dark, bodily, etc. Some are more appropriate in a work environment than others. Pulling a chair out from under a colleague and passing gas in the elevator is clearly not appropriate and is sure to have you laughing all the way to the labor exchange. Being overtly offensive in the workplace is also strictly off-limits, and that includes put-down humor about peoples physical appearance. That line of comedy may seem like friendly banter, but can be highly derisive and, as Albert Rapp argues in The Origins of Wit and Humor, is a veiled form of superiority. It’s important to understand what each of these different forms yield. For example, self-deprecating humor can make you seem humble, approachable and down-to-earth, but when overused can give the impression of insecurity and lack of confidence. Insider jokes can be socially bonding but can also be cliquey and alienating to outsiders.
2. Use humor intentionally and with a purpose.
In More Funny, More Money, author Marty Wilson tells the story of a Southwest Airlines announcement: “Southwest Airlines would like to congratulate a first-time flyer on board today who is celebrating his 89th birthday. Ladies and Gentlemen, how about a big round of applause for our pilot.” This announcement is purposeful; it makes people smile, humanizes what can be a depersonalizing experience and puts passengers at ease. But it’s also a crucial signal that announcements on this flight will be interesting, fun and worth listening to rather than reading in-flight magazines. The announcement contains both intellect and empathy. Humor in this context communicates emotional, social and cultural intelligence.
3. Be on top of your game.
The plain reality is, using humor and jokes in the workplace carries a risk of some people questioning your sincerity and professionalism. In this case, it is very important to be on top of your game and focused on the details that will off-set these prejudices. In the classic courtroom drama, A Few Good Men, the lead counsel, Lieutenant Daniel Kaffee, prompts Navel Investigator, Lieutenant Commander Joanne Galloway, to question his professionalism. She seeks to get him removed from the assignment for his “fast-food, slick-ass, Persian bazaar manner.” Over time, though, she comes to regard him as an “exceptional lawyer” because of his raw abilities in the courtroom. It may be helpful to disclose to others that your use of humor is intentional and purposeful so that they understand that you are employing humor in a tactical manner.
The punchline….
Using humor in the workplace should not be stigmatized in this day and age. Indeed, this BBC business report examines how progressive companies such as Google, Twitter, Red Bull and Siemens are embracing more playful working cultures. And as a recent academic paper posits, people who use humor in an appropriate and intentional way are far from frivolous or flippant; they are behavioral change agents who seek to build a more natural, engaging, authentic and playful work environment and culture. They are among the most emotional and socially intelligent people in the workplace and tend to be genuinely happy, well-adjusted and successful in their work. And that’s not to be scoffed at.
At a Glance
There are lots of reasons kids play “class clown.”
Some kids do it to cover up challenges. Some just like attention.
Kids who act up in class usually don’t mean to be difficult.
The teacher just told you that your child’s been acting up in school and playing the class clown. You’re not totally surprised. You’ve noticed similar behavior at home, especially when other people are around. So, what’s this behavior about, and does it really mean anything?
It’s true that some kids just like being the center of attention. They crack jokes, make faces, and show off, mainly to impress other kids. They goof around at lunch, at recess, or in the hallways between classes.
But some kids behave this way during class, even if it gets them in trouble or turns off their classmates.
Learn what causes kids to play the class clown, and what can help.
What It Means to Be the Class Clown
Kids can act like a class clown in lots of different ways. Here are some examples:
Giving joking answers when the teacher calls on them
Wearing clothes that are extremely loud, silly, or even offensive
Making a noisy entrance when they come into the classroom
Dropping things and making a big deal out of picking them up
When kids act this way, it doesn’t necessarily mean there’s a “problem.” But it often creates problems. Goofing around all the time can disrupt class and annoy the teacher. It can lead to being disciplined. It can impact grades, too.
Being the class clown can also affect your child’s social life. Sometimes, other kids think it’s funny and want to be around your child. But often, kids are turned off by clownish behavior and think it’s weird or annoying, not funny.
Why Do Kids Play Class Clown?
There are lots of reasons kids clown around like this. If they’re getting a positive response, they might just like the attention. That’s not always the case, though.
Kids who have trouble with self-control may have a hard time resisting the urge to do or say something they think is funny. That’s often true of kids with ADHD. If the thought enters their mind, they act on it without stopping to think about the consequences.
Sometimes kids act up in class not to draw attention to themselves, but away from things they’re struggling with. They clown around to hide challenges. Here are some examples of things kids might try to cover up:
Trouble with social skills
Stressful situations at home
Kids aren’t usually trying to be difficult. They’re just trying to cover up their weak spots. It’s better to loudly burst through the classroom door and have everyone laugh than to be laughed at because you lose track of time and are always late. Clowning around is often a way to get ahead of criticism.
Playing “Class Clown” for Kids With ADHD
This may not relate to your child at all, but there’s a unique relationship between having ADHD and playing the clown. Being funny, theatrical, and larger than life can be a natural benefit of ADHD for many kids. Playing the role of entertainer is a way to use a strength to make up for challenges.
If it’s done at the right time in the right way, being the clown can be a social plus. Kids often find their peers with ADHD to be truly funny—and fun to be around.
But kids with ADHD run the risk of overdoing it or being goofy at the wrong time and place—like in the middle of class. When that happens, they may get negative attention. And they can drive other kids away.
What You Can Do
When your child acts out to get attention, there are ways you can work on the behavior.
Keep an eye on your child’s behavior and look for patterns.
Share what you’re seeing with the teacher so you can work together.
Help improve your child’s self-esteem.
Find activities your child enjoys and is good at.
Also, kids sometimes need help understanding the consequences of their behavior. They may not see the effect their clowning around is having. Or they may feel embarrassed by their behavior, but not know what to do instead.
During a calm time, talk to your child about how others are reacting, and what would be a better way to act. If your child’s been clowning around to cover up challenges, you might get similar behavior when you try to talk about it.
You may have to have a couple of shorter conversations instead of just one. Space them out so your child has time to think about what you’ve said and how to do things differently.
And if you think your child might be struggling at school, talk to your child’s teacher. The teacher may be able to tell you about challenges your child is having.
Key Takeaways
Talk to the teacher about the behavior and any challenges your child might have.
Help your child understand the consequences of playing the class clown.
If your child is struggling in school, you can ask for a free evaluation to find out why.
Share
About the Author
About the Author
The Understood Team is made up of passionate writers, editors, and community moderators. Many of them learn and think differently, or have kids who do.
Reviewed by
Reviewed by
Bob Cunningham, EdM serves as executive director of learning development at Understood.
Did you find this helpful?
Recommended for you
Stay informed
Sign up for weekly emails containing helpful resources for you and your family
By signing up, you acknowledge that you reside in the United States and are at least 13 years old, and agree that you’ve read the Terms and Conditions. Understood.org does not market to or offer services to individuals in the European Union.
Copyright © 2014–2020 Understood For All Inc. All rights reserved. “Understood” and related logos are trademarks of Understood For All Inc. and are used with permission. This website provides information of a general nature and is designed for information and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or legal advice. Understood is a nonprofit initiative. Understood does not and will not take money from pharmaceutical companies. We do not market to or offer services to individuals in the European Union. For more information, please review the Terms and Conditions.
“Understood” as used above includes Understood For All Inc., and their officers, affiliates, parents, and related entities, and their respective employees, contractors, or other personnel.
Share Why Some Kids Play the “Class Clown”
Coming soon Google Classroom
Share Why Some Kids Play the “Class Clown”
So, you want to learn how to be witty? I understand you perfectly. The witty person in a social setting is the person who gets all the attention, makes everyone laugh, is liked by everybody and has no problems connecting with others.
As a social confidence coach, I work on a regular basis with guys and girls who want to learn how to be witty and charming. I’ve discovered there is a set of precise steps that if any person takes, it can make them considerably wittier. Here they are, taken and explained one by one.
Step 1: Practice Thinking Outside the Box
Essentially, what makes a person witty and funny in conversations is the fact they say things that are unexpected and creative. And they’re able to say such things because their thinking is outside the box.
Therefore, developing your ability to think this way is a must step in learning how to be witty and funny. And the only true way to develop it is through practice, which can take place while in social settings but also outside of them.
Let’s say somebody asks you: “Hey, are you gonna run to the market, because I’d like to ask you to get something for me?”
Instead of answering in a basic manner “Yes, I am”, think for just a second and see if you can find a more creative way to answer. For example, you may come up with: “Well, I’m not gonna run, I’m just gonna walk to the market. But yes, that’s the gist of it.”
Now that’s a much more clever and amusing way to respond. It’s guaranteed to get at least a giggle. There is another thing though that you have to do to be able to come up with such snappy comebacks, which is the next step.
Step 2: Really, Truly Listen
Studying how to be witty and charming is to a large extent a study in being a good listener. It’s important to really pay attention to the words and messages others convey, in order to find clever and funny ways to respond to them.
The problem is that most people don’t truly listen. They’re stuck in their heads, thinking what to say next or what’s a smart line they can use, instead of paying attention to what the other person is saying.
In a conversation, listening always comes before thinking out of the box. It’s only once you received the full message and its meaning that you may start to think how you can respond to it. Otherwise your comeback will just seem unnatural and odd.
Step 3: Focus on Having the Right Emotional State
I’ll tell you a little secret few people know: the bulk of your ability to be witty and funny has to do with your emotional state. This is why, when a person asks me how to be witty and funny, I usually tell them that the main way is to manage their emotional state.
When you’re in a conversation and you feel confident and relaxed, trust me, you will naturally find all sorts of clever things to say.
The problem is that most persons who want to be wittier feel quite shy and nervous in most social settings. And when you feel like that, you tend to fumble, stumble, act awkward and not be able to think straight. It all goes down the drain from there.
This is why one of the best things you can do is to focus on changing your emotional state in social settings. Don’t concentrate too much on what you say; concentrate more on how you feel. If you’re in the right emotional state, you’ll also be witty and charming.
To find out precisely how you can achieve this emotional state, check out this presentation I created.
Step 4: Stop Putting Pressure on Yourself
In discovering how to be witty, it’s crucial to realize that you can’t pressure yourself to become this way. Well, you can, but it’s simply not going to work. It’s not gonna get you anywhere.
Paradoxically, it’s only when you let go and stop demanding of yourself to be witty and charm everybody that you start to loosen up, feel more confident and then your witty, charming side comes out with ease.
The fact of the matter is that you’re probably putting needless pressure on yourself to impress in social settings. You need to start seeing social interactions as a casual thing and to stop taking them too seriously. And this is a mindset that you can develop with practice.
I have created a special presentation in which I discuss the exact steps you must take in order to develop this mindset and become confident in conversation. Go here to watch it.
Learning how to be witty and funny is a process. It’s a journey of habit-changing, self-discovery and self-empowerment.
You’ll start seeing results as soon as you begin applying the steps I’ve discussed here, but it is consistent application that creates the overall best results.
The more confident and witty you become, the more satisfying your social life becomes, and the more this whole self-growth journey feel like a worthwhile thing.
