In his book The Morality of Laughter, George Mason University law professor F.H. Buckley dismisses puns from consideration in support of his thesis. He argues that laughter is inherently a judgmental act, and that such judgmentalism is good for society, teaching as it does valuable lessons about how one should conduct oneself. (Pay attention, Charlie, so you don’t slip on that banana peel.) With their simple wordplay, puns, says the prof, “are not particularly amusing in themselves, and ordinarily more clever than comic.” Such a statement is a stern shot across the bow for West Virginia storyteller Bil Lepp and his “PUNIntentional” seminar, in which he intends to prove that “the pun is not the lowest form of laughter.” Lepp will reveal the three pun typeshomophonic, homographic, and another oneto those wishing to become more creatively abusive of the English language. You’ll punish yourself if you miss this real pun time! (Heh heh. Sorry.) Lepp’s workshop begins at 10 a.m. at the Maryland Association for Nonprofit Organizations, 8720 Georgia Ave., Suite 303, Silver Spring. $35. To register, call (301) 891-1129. (Dave Nuttycombe)
PUNIntentional
