object of jest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "object of jest" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to someone or something that is the target of humor or ridicule. Example: "He became the object of jest after his embarrassing fall during the presentation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Why zinfandel as an object of jest?

The New York Times - Food

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

There is a kind of jest in this.

The New York Times - Arts

Three neighbors, separately and with varying degrees of jest, suggested syrup.

The New York Times - Food

She suffered whiplash and a spate of ageist remarks – a subject of jest she later likened to racism.

Independent

I did just manage to note that Legman had a world-class collection of jest books".

The New York Times - Books

Correlation of JEST with PHEEM was 0.80 (p < 0.001).

BMC Medical Education

Reliability for the 3367 sets of JEST results revealed a Cronbach's alpha of 0.91 with no rogue questions using the alpha if item deleted function.

BMC Medical Education

The object of their desires?

The New York Times

Remove the object of dispute.

WikiHow

Know the object of Bunco.

WikiHow

They make up practical jokes instead of jests.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "object of jest", ensure the context clarifies whether the humor is light-hearted or derisive. The phrase itself is neutral, but the surrounding words can create either sense.

Common error

Avoid using "object of jest" when the situation involves serious disrespect or malice. It is better suited for scenarios where the humor is intended to be playful or constructive, even if slightly mocking.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "object of jest" functions as a noun phrase that identifies the recipient or focus of humorous actions or comments. As Ludwig AI explains, this construction denotes something or someone that is being ridiculed or made fun of.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "object of jest" is a grammatically correct noun phrase that describes something or someone being made fun of. Ludwig AI verifies its correctness and identifies its neutral tone. While relatively uncommon, the phrase appears in various contexts, most frequently in news and media. When using "object of jest", ensure the context appropriately reflects the intended level of humor, and consider more formal or informal alternatives, such as "target of ridicule" or "butt of the joke", depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

butt of the joke

Focuses on the person or thing that is being joked about; implies a less formal context.

target of ridicule

Emphasizes mockery and derision; suggests a more critical or negative tone.

subject of mockery

Similar to "target of ridicule", but can also imply a more playful form of teasing.

source of amusement

Highlights the entertaining aspect, without necessarily implying ridicule.

figure of fun

Suggests a person who is consistently seen as comical or amusing, often unintentionally.

laughingstock

Implies public humiliation and being widely ridiculed.

standing joke

Refers to something that is consistently joked about over a long period.

prey to humor

Implies being defenseless against jokes or mockery.

focus of comedic attention

A more formal way of saying something is being joked about, suitable for academic or analytical contexts.

topic of humorous discussion

Highlights the discussion aspect rather than the ridicule, implying a lighter tone.

FAQs

How can I use "object of jest" in a sentence?

You can use "object of jest" to describe someone or something that is being ridiculed or made fun of. For example, "His outlandish outfit made him the "object of jest" at the party."

What's a more formal alternative to "object of jest"?

A more formal alternative could be "target of ridicule" or "subject of mockery", which emphasize the act of ridiculing more directly.

Is it always negative to be the "object of jest"?

Not necessarily. While it implies being made fun of, the humor can be lighthearted and not intended to cause harm. It depends heavily on the context and the intentions of those making the jokes.

What's the difference between ""object of jest"" and "butt of the joke"?

While both refer to being the target of humor, "butt of the joke" is generally more informal and implies a more direct or personal form of humor, whereas ""object of jest"" can be slightly more detached or observational.