Talk:Paradoxical laughter

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If the "Rate this page" feature of this article had an aspect called "Worthwhile", I would give this article a low grade. 108.1.69.75 (talk) 16:20, 10 August 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Many Wikipedia articles require expansion, which I assume is what you feel this article needs. You can help expand this article by adding sections with cited information if you’d like to do so. Thanks for the feedback! Cup o’ Java (talk • edits) 23:22, 1 March 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Proposed title change[edit]

According to the OED, a paradox is “[1.] a statement or proposition that, despite sound (or apparently sound) reasoning from acceptable premises, leads to a conclusion that seems senseless, logically unacceptable, or self-contradictory […] [2.] a seemingly absurd or self-contradictory statement or proposition that when investigated or explained may prove to be well founded or true”. There is no reasoning involved in “paradoxical laughter”, nor are there premises from which to develop conclusions or anything else that might contradict anything, or even anything true or false. The word “paradoxical” is therefore irrelevant. I do recognize, however, that the word “senseless” does apply; however, none of the other titles given in this reputable definition apply. According to same, irony is “a state of affairs or an event that seems deliberately contrary to what one expects and is often amusing as a result”. This is applicable, because the laughter mentioned is contrary to what one would expect; laughter cannot be paradoxical, because it is inherently a subjective matter and thus cannot contradict. Therefore, “Ironic laughter” would be a better title. Cup o’ Java (talk • edits) 23:15, 1 March 2014 (UTC)[reply]

This would be a misuse of "ironical", which connotes intent where it applies to a person's speech rather than a state of affairs. The form of laughter described here is generally not intentional.
WP:COMMONNAME, "paradoxical laughter" is the term used in the literature.
One of the meanings of "paradoxical" is "not being the normal or usual kind", which fits perfectly. Paradoctor (talk) 00:51, 2 March 2014 (UTC)[reply]