Gales of derisive laughter

Researchers at the University of Hull have been working on "Effects of Alcohol on Responsive Laughter and Amusement" and their findings "provide empirical support for the commonly held notion that drinking increases frequency of laughter and humour." Notions are often commonly held because they are self-evident to any reasonably sentient being, but it is good that the academics of Hull have found time to confirm the obvious.

Anyone observing a party in progress will see that the volume and frequency of laughter grows with the intake of alcohol. It is doubtful, however, that there has been any parallel increase in humour. An abstemious observer is much more likely to note that, in these circumstances, the laughter is in inverse proportion to the humour. Wit and allusion require some clarity of thought to achieve a response. It is an occasional topic of debate amongst actors as to how drunk an audience needs to be to give an adequate response to a funny play. Obviously, the level varies. Very little would suffice for a Wilde, a Coward, or an Aykbourn; less subtle authors might require a larger intake. It is surprising what dire material a comic can get away with when faced with a drunken audience but the down side, of course, is the grave risk of over enthusiastic participation.

As alcohol removes the ability to discriminate, bad jokes arouse totally disproportionate mirth (the Researchers of Hull must forgive the lack of empirical back-up for this truism). Responses to sentimentality and irritation may well be the same: what is merely embarrassing when stone-cold sober, provokes tears after a few drinks; what is shrugged off as boorishness, becomes the cause of a violent dispute. There is more fruitful research to be done, University of Hull.

The researchers point out that "the use of humour and laughter has been found to correlate with good physical health". So the Lewis Carol syllogism runs, "Laughter makes me live longer. Alcohol makes me laugh. Therefore, alcohol makes me live longer." Quod erat demonstrandum.

They must have an impressive longevity at the University of Hull.