The
polite reponce to a
joke that isn't funny. It can be used in a number of ways:
- To cover that potentially awkward dead air when the joke is about you.
- To cover that potentially awkward dead air when the joke is about someone next to you.
- If used adroitly, the courtesy laugh can even be used to cover that potentially awkward dead air when you make the offending joke.
Example:
Jim says, "hey bob, is that your girlfriend?"
Bob responds, "ah... yeh"
Jim quips, "man she's hot... I sure would like to fuck her in the ass..."
crickets chirp
Bob lets Jim off the hook with a courtesy laugh, and segue ways into, "how about them Yankees..."