funny aside

USAGE SUMMARY

"funny aside" is correct and usable in written English.
It is generally used to introduce an amusing comment or anecdote. For example: "Funny aside, my neighbor recently got a pet raccoon."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

No laughter at a funny aside.

The Washington Post

As a funny aside, a year ago Petersen was busted by his own product as he avoided one conference to attend another.

TechCrunch

Discussing both films, Edward Norton speaks with the intelligent consideration that's a hallmark of his career, occasionally cut by a quick, funny aside.

Los Angeles Times

Miller said three women in the audience told her they thought C.K. was "funny aside from everything else," and "deserves a chance to come back".

Huffington Post

There was even a funny aside about bipartisanship, with him saying "If any good came of this, maybe it was that for one day the left and the right finally came together to agree on something: that I'm a dick".

Vice

Foord was mixing up a portion of dried coral powder and orange juice, at once a calcium supplement and a funny aside that's only partly a joke that he's trying to become one with the coral.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Ms. Blood has a few funny asides as the more lustful and cranky of the two angels.

The New York Times

Listen for his insights into the music and landscapes, but also his quieter, funny asides.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The program is a musical scrapbook whose selections are captioned by Ms. Sullivan's revealing, often funny asides.

The New York Times - Arts

There was no other person I would have gone to as such a source of unvarnished truth - and of such funny asides.

The Guardian

While Olbermann is clearly a handful to sit next to at work, he's a fine companion at a baseball game, sharing a storehouse of trivia, funny asides and back stories on the contest that unfolded that Saturday night in May.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "funny aside" to introduce a brief, humorous comment that is related to the main topic but not essential to it. It's often used to add levity or provide a brief moment of amusement for the audience.

Common error

Avoid using "funny aside" too frequently, as it can disrupt the flow of your writing or speech. Instead, vary your methods of injecting humor and consider whether the aside truly adds value to your overall message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "funny aside" functions as an adjective-noun combination to introduce a tangential, humorous comment. Ludwig examples show its use in diverse contexts to denote a brief, amusing digression. It is a common way to signal a shift to a lighter, often unrelated, point.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Science

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "funny aside" is a grammatically correct and relatively common phrase used to introduce a humorous digression or comment. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, as confirmed by Ludwig, and its suitability for other settings depends on the desired level of formality. Related phrases include "humorous digression" and "amusing tangent". When using this phrase, it's important to ensure it enhances the overall message and isn't overused. Remember to consider the audience and context to strike the right balance between humor and relevance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

humorous digression

Replaces "funny" with "humorous" and "aside" with "digression", emphasizing the departure from the main topic.

amusing tangent

Substitutes "funny" with "amusing" and "aside" with "tangent", highlighting the slight deviation in topic.

comical interjection

Replaces "funny" with "comical" and "aside" with "interjection", focusing on the interruption with humor.

lighthearted comment

Uses "lighthearted" instead of "funny" and "comment" instead of "aside", indicating a cheerful remark.

witty remark

Emphasizes the cleverness of the humorous statement.

jocular observation

Highlights the playful and observant nature of the comment.

comic relief

Focuses on the function of the aside as a source of humor.

amusing anecdote

Presents the "aside" as a short, entertaining story.

humorous note

Uses "note" to indicate a brief, funny observation.

entertaining quip

Replaces both words to point out a witty and amusing comment.

FAQs

How can I use "funny aside" in a sentence?

You can use "funny aside" to introduce a humorous remark, such as, "The presentation was informative, but, "funny aside", the presenter's tie was crooked the entire time."

What are some alternatives to "funny aside"?

Alternatives include "humorous digression", "amusing tangent", or "comical interjection", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "funny aside" in formal writing?

While "funny aside" is acceptable in news and media, it might be too informal for academic or business contexts. Consider the tone and audience of your writing before using it.

What makes "funny aside" different from a regular joke?

A "funny aside" is typically a brief, often tangential comment, while a regular joke might be longer and more structured. The purpose of a "funny aside" is often to add a quick moment of levity rather than to be the central focus.