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humor

(Encyclopedia) humor, according to ancient theory, any of four bodily fluids that determined human health and temperament. Hippocrates postulated that an imbalance among the humors (blood, phlegm,…

black humor

(Encyclopedia) black humor, in literature, drama, and film, grotesque or morbid humor used to express the absurdity, insensitivity, paradox, and cruelty of the modern world. Ordinary characters or…

The True George Washington: Social Life: Humor

HumorThe foregoing allusion to Washington's conversation is undoubtedly just. All who met him formally spoke of him as taciturn, but this was not a natural quality. Jefferson states that "in…

Brome, Richard

(Encyclopedia) Brome, RichardBrome, Richardbr&oomacr;m, brōm [key], c.1590–1652, English dramatist. He was the friend, servant, and disciple of Ben Jonson. Primarily a writer of realistic satiric…

glaucoma

(Encyclopedia) glaucomaglaucomaglôkōˈmə [key], ocular disorder characterized by pressure within the eyeball caused by an excessive amount of aqueous humor (the fluid substance filling the eyeball).…

O'Malley, Frank Ward

(Encyclopedia) O'Malley, Frank Ward, 1875–1932, American newspaperman, b. Pittston, Pa. As reporter (1906–19) for the New York Sun he was especially noted for his stories of humor and pathos. Among…

Egan, Pierce

(Encyclopedia) Egan, Pierce, 1772–1849, English sports writer. He was the author of Life in London, a lively account of the sporting gallants of the Regency. With its rough humor and colloquial style…

farce

(Encyclopedia) farce, light, comic theatrical piece in which the characters and events are greatly exaggerated to produce broad, absurd humor. Early examples of farce can be found in the comedies of…

Orton, Joe

(Encyclopedia) Orton, Joe, 1933–67, English playwright, b. John Kingsley. After studying acting, he wrote farcical comedies noted for their cynical humor. His plays include The Ruffian on the Stair (…

Udall, Nicholas

(Encyclopedia) Udall, Nicholas, 1505–56, English dramatist, educated at Oxford. He was headmaster of Eton (1534–41) and of Westminster School (from 1554). His one extant play, Ralph Roister Doister (…