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thigh-slapper

thigh-slapper

1 8.1
A very funny story or joke that makes people laugh a lot
  • noun
  • /ˈθaɪˌslæpər/
  • Informal
translation icon : chiste muy gracioso
  • Everyone loves a good thigh-slapper.

Examples

  • It takes real talent to come up with a genuine thigh-slapper every time.

  • That comedian always tells at least one thigh-slapper during his routine.

  • The room erupted in laughter at his latest thigh-slapper.

  • That was a real thigh-slapper!

  • His joke about the chicken crossing the road was such a thigh-slapper that everyone in the room burst into laughter.

  • She told a funny story about her cat that was a real thigh-slapper, making everyone laugh until they cried.

  • During the party, he shared a thigh-slapper that had us rolling on the floor with laughter.

Synonyms

riot
vsthigh-slapper
  • Informal
33 4.9

A very funny person, story, or situation that makes people laugh

is narrower, focusing on a joke or story that makes people laugh hard
scream
vsthigh-slapper
  • Informal
26 6.3

A very funny person or thing that makes people laugh

is narrower, applying to individual jokes or stories rather than people
funny joke
vsthigh-slapper
14 1.0

A short story or remark that makes people laugh

is more intense, causing loud, sustained laughter rather than mild amusement
knee slapper
vsthigh-slapper
  • Informal
1 6.8

A very funny joke that makes people laugh loudly

is the same intense comic effect in story form rather than a person
laugh a minute
vsthigh-slapper
  • Informal
1 4.9

A very funny person or event that makes you laugh a lot

is similar but signals stronger, louder laughter from a single joke
howler
vsthigh-slapper
  • Informal
1 6.6

A very funny joke that makes people laugh loudly

is equally informal but stresses a stronger physical laughter reaction
sidesplitter
vsthigh-slapper
  • Informal
7.7

A very funny joke or story that makes people laugh a lot

is the same high laughter level but often refers to short jokes too
riproarious tale
vsthigh-slapper
7.9

A very funny story that makes people laugh loudly

is similar but applies to any very funny short remark as well
a real howler
vsthigh-slapper
  • Informal
7.5

A joke or mistake that makes people laugh a lot

is focused specifically on jokes and their strong laugh effect
cracker joke
vsthigh-slapper
  • UK
5.0

A very funny joke that makes many people laugh

is similar but emphasizes pure laugh power over cleverness

Antonyms

9 4.2

Does not make people laugh when meant as a joke

How Funny

thigh-slapper
  • Informal
1 8.1
joke
1.0
gag
70 3.7

Surface Forms

thigh-slapper singular

Morphology

thigh-slapper = thigh + slapper (transparent) = thigh + slap + er

The term is a straightforward compound of 'thigh' + 'slapper' (the latter = slap + -er), so the meaning 'something that makes people slap their thighs' is directly inferable.

Etymology

Thigh-slapper comes from people actually slapping their thigh ('the upper part of the leg') when something is very funny, and slap means 'to hit with the open hand'. So a thigh-slapper is a joke that makes people laugh a lot.