--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I turned about 12 or 13, I realised…" description: "\"When I turned about 12 or 13, I realised that being funny wasn't about remembering jokes. It was about creating them.\" — Paul Merton" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1ce/paul-merton-15418_being-funny_when-i-turned-about-12-or-13-i-realised_979123.png" --- # When I turned about 12 or 13, I realised that being funny… ![“When I turned about 12 or 13, I realised that being funny wasn't about remembering jokes. It was about creating them.” quote by Paul Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1ce/paul-merton-15418_being-funny_when-i-turned-about-12-or-13-i-realised_979123.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1ce/paul-merton-15418_being-funny_when-i-turned-about-12-or-13-i-realised_979123.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1ce/paul-merton-15418_being-funny_when-i-turned-about-12-or-13-i-realised_979123.png) > “When I turned about 12 or 13, I realised that being funny wasn't about remembering jokes. It was about creating them.” [Paul Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-merton/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Humor stems from creating original jokes, not just recalling existing ones. **In simple terms:** Creativity drives humor. Key Takeaway Practice generating your own jokes. Themes creativity humor originality comedy Mood playful inspirational Type creative educational When to use this quote - Comedy writing workshops - improv classes - social gatherings Key Concepts creative writing psychology of humor performance art Questions to Reflect On - How can you train your mind to invent jokes? - What topics inspire your humor? A Different Perspective Original jokes still need audience resonance. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Being funny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being-funny/) [Creating](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creating/) [Humor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humor/) [Jokes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jokes/) ## Related quotes > [Being funny wasn't a career choice growing up, it was my way out of situations; a way to survive another day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracy-morgan/being-funny-wasn-t-a-career-choice-growing-up-it-was-my-way-out-of/) [Tracy Morgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracy-morgan/) > [Some people get into comedy because they love comedy. 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