Why Do People Laugh at Inside Jokes?

Imagine you and your best friend have a secret language, like a code only the two of you know. When one of you says something that only you understand, it feels funny because it's special to both of you. That’s kind of how inside jokes work. They’re funny because they connect people who share something unique.

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Examples

Your friend says, 'Remember that time we got lost on the way to school?', and you both laugh because it was only you two who were there.
You hear a joke at a party and get it, but no one else does. It feels like a secret between you and the person who told it.
Your friend uses an inside word for your class teacher, and you burst out laughing because you both know what it means.

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Categories: Psychology · humor· social behavior· cognitive processes