squeezing humor

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "squeezing humor" is not a standard expression in written English and may be confusing to readers.
It could be used in a context where one is trying to extract or elicit humor from a situation, but it is not commonly recognized. Example: "In his stand-up routine, he was adept at squeezing humor from everyday situations, making the audience laugh at the mundane."

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Eli Sisters tells the story in a loftily formal fashion, doggedly literal, vulgar and polite at turns, squeezing humor out of stating the obvious with flowery melodrama.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Strange to squeeze humor out of something so unreal.

Huffington Post

Her grandfather was the great Yiddish storyteller Sholem Aleichem, a writer who was able to squeeze heartbreaking humor out of the most threadbare deprivation and wove the bittersweet Tevye stories that became the source for "Fiddler on the Roof".

The New York Times

O'Connell and Park are fine, with Rabe squeezing out the humor of her part whenever possible.

Huffington Post

Don't force humor.

WikiHow

He keeps the camera moving to supply the illusion that something is happening, and he and Mr. Jackson use their considerable craft and personality to squeeze every drop of humor and eloquence out of Mr. McCarthy's script.

The New York Times - Arts

The movie, which opens nationwide today, has the same title as a semi-comprehensible C.I.A. movie from Disney that starred an African-American, Laurence Fishburne, and squeezed a little gallows humor from race games and corruption.

The New York Times

It was the squeezing squeezing squeezing.

The New York Times - Tech

Squeezing putty.

The New York Times - Sports

More squeezing.

Vice

No squeezing!

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "squeezing humor" when you want to emphasize the effort or unexpectedness of finding humor in a particular situation. Consider alternatives like "extracting humor" or "drawing out humor" if the context requires a more standard expression.

Common error

Avoid repeatedly using "squeezing humor" in your writing. While descriptive, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive or forced. Vary your vocabulary by using synonyms or rephrasing to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "squeezing humor" functions as a verb phrase modifying a noun, indicating an action (squeezing) applied to a concept (humor). It describes the act of extracting or forcing humor from a source, often implying that the humor is not readily apparent. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is not a standard expression, which is confirmed by its rare occurence.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

33%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "squeezing humor" is a phrase that describes the act of extracting or forcing humor from a situation. While grammatically correct, it's not a standard expression and is relatively rare, as noted by Ludwig AI. Its primary function is to describe how someone finds humor in unexpected places, with a neutral register suitable for news and media. Consider alternative phrases like "extracting humor" or "drawing out humor" for clearer communication. Use the phrase sparingly to avoid sounding repetitive or forced. The phrase is more commonly found in news and media contexts, but its overall frequency remains low.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extracting humor

Focuses on taking humor from something, emphasizing removal or separation.

drawing out humor

Suggests coaxing or eliciting humor that is already present.

wringing humor

Similar to "squeezing", but can imply more force or desperation.

mining for humor

Implies searching diligently to find humor.

finding humor

A more general term for locating humor in something.

teasing out humor

Suggests gently revealing or uncovering humor.

coaxing humor

Focuses on gently persuading humor to emerge.

ferreting out humor

Implies a persistent search to uncover hidden humor.

conjuring humor

Implies creating humor as if by magic.

generating humor

Focuses on the creation or production of humor.

FAQs

What does "squeezing humor" mean?

"Squeezing humor" implies extracting or forcing humor from a situation that might not naturally be funny, suggesting an effort to find or create amusement.

What are some alternatives to "squeezing humor"?

You can use alternatives such as "extracting humor", "drawing out humor", or "mining for humor" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "squeezing humor" a common expression?

While grammatically correct, "squeezing humor" is not a standard or frequently used expression. More common alternatives might be better understood in general contexts.

How can I use "squeezing humor" in a sentence?

You might say, "The comedian was skilled at "squeezing humor" from everyday annoyances" to emphasize his ability to make mundane situations funny.