--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A friend once asked me what comedy was…" description: "\"A friend once asked me what comedy was. That floored me. What is comedy? I don't know. Does anybody? Can you define it? All I know is that I learned ho..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/084/stan-laurel-25542_about_a-friend-once-asked-me-what-comedy-was-t_1575331.jpg" --- # A friend once asked me what comedy was. That floored me… ![“A friend once asked me what comedy was. That floored me. What is comedy? I don't know. Does anybody? Can you define it? All I know is that I learned how to get laughs, and that's all I know about it. You have to learn what people will laugh at, then proceed accordingly.” quote by Stan Laurel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/084/stan-laurel-25542_about_a-friend-once-asked-me-what-comedy-was-t_1575331.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/084/stan-laurel-25542_about_a-friend-once-asked-me-what-comedy-was-t_1575331.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/084/stan-laurel-25542_about_a-friend-once-asked-me-what-comedy-was-t_1575331.jpg) > “A friend once asked me what comedy was. That floored me. What is comedy? I don't know. Does anybody? Can you define it? All I know is that I learned how to get laughs, and that's all I know about it. You have to learn what people will laugh at, then proceed accordingly.” [Stan Laurel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stan-laurel/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Comedy is learned by understanding what triggers laughter and adapting accordingly. **In simple terms:** Comedy requires learning audience triggers. Key Takeaway Study humor patterns to improve. Themes comedy learning audience adaptation creativity Mood playful inquisitive Type educational inspirational When to use this quote - stand‑up - writing - media production Key Concepts performance art psychology communication Questions to Reflect On - What makes you laugh? - How can you test comedic ideas? A Different Perspective Humor varies across cultures, limiting universal formulas. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [About](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/about/) [Accordingly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accordingly/) [Anybody](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anybody/) [Asked](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/asked/) [Asked Comedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/asked-comedy-2383061/) [Comedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comedy/) [Define](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/define/) [Does](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/does/) [Friend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/friend/) [Friendship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/friendship/) [Get](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/get/) [How](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/how/) [Humor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humor/) [Know](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/know/) [Laugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/laugh/) [Laughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/laughs/) [Laughs Know](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/laughs-know-1299253/) [Laughter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/laughter/) [Learn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/learn/) [Learned](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/learned/) [Learned Laughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/learned-laughs-3104384/) [Me](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/me/) [Once](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/once/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Proceed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/proceed/) [Then](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/then/) [Will](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/will/) [You](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/you/) ## Related quotes > [Everyone at his table laughs. They know I can hear them. They just don't care.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susane-colasanti/everyone-at-his-table-laughs-they-know-i-can-hear-them-they-just-don/) [Susane Colasanti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susane-colasanti/) > [I love the way he smiles, I love the way he laughs, I know everything good about him, I know everything bad about him...I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-love-the-way-he-smiles-i-love-the-way-he-laughs-i-know-everything/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I was a very earnest child. I was not funny. I would get laughed at for my earnestness, so I learned to hide. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cole-escola/i-was-a-very-earnest-child-i-was-not-funny-i-would-get-laughed-at-for/) [Cole Escola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cole-escola/) > [I was in a band and it wasn't working out the way I wanted. Then somehow, little by little, I started doing a couple…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-armisen/i-was-in-a-band-and-it-wasn-t-working-out-the-way-i-wanted-then/) [Fred Armisen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-armisen/) > [I've asked Comedy Central, and they just say, "I don't know." It took Showtime two years to put my special on DVD. Owning your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-mohr/i-ve-asked-comedy-central-and-they-just-say-i-don-t-know-it-took/) [Jay Mohr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-mohr/) > [What's odd is that I've never been asked to do any comedy in film. That's something I could certainly do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-mccabe/what-s-odd-is-that-i-ve-never-been-asked-to-do-any-comedy-in-film/) [Richard McCabe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-mccabe/) > [Universe will re-arrange itself accordingly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhonda-byrne/universe-will-re-arrange-itself-accordingly/) [Rhonda Byrne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhonda-byrne/) > [Recording a song for a film doesn't take much time; it's hardly an hour's job, but concerts are constant ,and so is travelling, so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kailash-kher/recording-a-song-for-a-film-doesn-t-take-much-time-it-s-hardly-an/) [Kailash Kher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kailash-kher/) > [Thoughts are things...treat them accordingly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-sylver/thoughts-are-things-treat-them-accordingly/) [Marshall Sylver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-sylver/) > [Every different social group that I encountered had its different set of rules, so you learn very quickly how to pick up the nuances…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-moore/every-different-social-group-that-i-encountered-had-its-different-set/) [Julianne Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-moore/) > [The Home Guards are required to come in at once and deliver up their arms, those who fail to do so will be regarded…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-home-guards-are-required-to-come-in-at-once-and-deliver-up-their/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Today, make yourself a priority and treat yourself accordingly.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/germany-kent/today-make-yourself-a-priority-and-treat-yourself-accordingly/) [Germany Kent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/germany-kent/) > [For a spinner growing up in England, it is challenging to become an off-spinner. The line and length needs to be altered on each…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harbhajan-singh/for-a-spinner-growing-up-in-england-it-is-challenging-to-become-an/) [Harbhajan Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harbhajan-singh/) > [I've realised what my strengths are and what my strengths are not, and played accordingly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sourav-ganguly/i-ve-realised-what-my-strengths-are-and-what-my-strengths-are-not-and/) [Sourav Ganguly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sourav-ganguly/) > [Clearly if the United States' relationship with Cuba changed, which would require a regime change inside Cuba, if Cuba moved towards a more democratic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeb-bush/clearly-if-the-united-states-relationship-with-cuba-changed-which/) [Jeb Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeb-bush/) ## More by Stan Laurel > [I had a dream that I was awake and I woke up to find myself asleep.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stan-laurel/i-had-a-dream-that-i-was-awake-and-i-woke-up-to-find-myself-asleep/) [Stan Laurel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stan-laurel/) > [Personally, I think the silent films were more effective for L&H, but the sound was of great value in enhancing the effects - dialog…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stan-laurel/personally-i-think-the-silent-films-were-more-effective-for-l-h-but/) [Stan Laurel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stan-laurel/) > [Sight gags had to be planned; they required timing and mechanics. Occasionally, spontaneity would arise in the shooting of the scenes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stan-laurel/sight-gags-had-to-be-planned-they-required-timing-and-mechanics/) [Stan Laurel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stan-laurel/) > [“I had a dream I was awake and I woke up to find myself asleep.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stan-laurel/i-had-a-dream-i-was-awake-and-i-woke-up-to-find-myself-asleep/) [Stan Laurel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stan-laurel/) > [A horse may be coaxed to drink, but a pencil must be lead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stan-laurel/a-horse-may-be-coaxed-to-drink-but-a-pencil-must-be-lead/) [Stan Laurel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stan-laurel/) > [Babe and I are both great television fans, and we've been planning to do something on TV. But we certainly never intended to start…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stan-laurel/babe-and-i-are-both-great-television-fans-and-we-ve-been-planning-to/) [Stan Laurel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stan-laurel/) > [Another fine mess you've gotten me into.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stan-laurel/another-fine-mess-you-ve-gotten-me-into/) [Stan Laurel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stan-laurel/) > [“You can lead a horse to water, but a pencil must be lead.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stan-laurel/you-can-lead-a-horse-to-water-but-a-pencil-must-be-lead/) [Stan Laurel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stan-laurel/) > [I feel like dying when I'm helpless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stan-laurel/i-feel-like-dying-when-i-m-helpless/) [Stan Laurel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stan-laurel/) > [If any of you cry at my funeral I'll never speak to you again.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stan-laurel/if-any-of-you-cry-at-my-funeral-i-ll-never-speak-to-you-again/) [Stan Laurel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stan-laurel/) > [Anyone who thinks 'Modern Times' has got a big message is just putting it there himself. Charlie knew that the pressures of modern life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stan-laurel/anyone-who-thinks-modern-times-has-got-a-big-message-is-just-putting/) [Stan Laurel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stan-laurel/) > [All I know is just how to make people laugh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stan-laurel/all-i-know-is-just-how-to-make-people-laugh/) [Stan Laurel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stan-laurel/) > [It's the one with that panel of ultra-chichi folks. The one called 'What's My Line?' It sends me straight up the wall. I call…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stan-laurel/it-s-the-one-with-that-panel-of-ultra-chichi-folks-the-one-called/) [Stan Laurel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stan-laurel/) > [What business do we have telling people who to vote for? They probably know more about it than we do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stan-laurel/what-business-do-we-have-telling-people-who-to-vote-for-they-probably/) [Stan Laurel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stan-laurel/) > [If anyone at my funeral has a long face, I'll never speak to him again.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stan-laurel/if-anyone-at-my-funeral-has-a-long-face-i-ll-never-speak-to-him-again/) [Stan Laurel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stan-laurel/) [Explore all 23 Stan Laurel quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stan-laurel/) ## More About quotes > [If you ask an introvert a question, wait until she thinks about it. Introverts think before speaking, not through speaking. If you want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-helgoe/if-you-ask-an-introvert-a-question-wait-until-she-thinks-about-it/) [Laurie Helgoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-helgoe/) > [Joking about violence is not funny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/perez-hilton/joking-about-violence-is-not-funny/) [Perez Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/perez-hilton/) > [I talk to my mates about our kids, being too tired and being worn out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-willoughby/i-talk-to-my-mates-about-our-kids-being-too-tired-and-being-worn-out/) [Holly Willoughby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-willoughby/) > [With 'Pretty Girls,' I saw the opportunity to talk not just about crime but what crime leaves behind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karin-slaughter/with-pretty-girls-i-saw-the-opportunity-to-talk-not-just-about-crime/) [Karin Slaughter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karin-slaughter/) > [I write about presidents. That means I write about guys - so far. I'm interested in the people closest to them, the people they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doris-kearns-goodwin/i-write-about-presidents-that-means-i-write-about-guys-so-far-i-m/) [Doris Kearns Goodwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doris-kearns-goodwin/) > [That's something a lot of folks don't know about me - I'm pretty darn funny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-jai-white/that-s-something-a-lot-of-folks-don-t-know-about-me-i-m-pretty-darn/) [Michael Jai White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-jai-white/) > [I learned a lot about myself at Oakmont.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shane-lowry/i-learned-a-lot-about-myself-at-oakmont/) [Shane Lowry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shane-lowry/) > [I don't think about the press or the crowds or the other leaders of the race. The focus is only on myself. As soon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/magdalena-neuner/i-don-t-think-about-the-press-or-the-crowds-or-the-other-leaders-of/) [Magdalena Neuner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/magdalena-neuner/) > [Sport is not just about entertainment. It is equally about winning and losing, pooling and galvanising the energy of the youth, upgrading people's physical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nita-ambani/sport-is-not-just-about-entertainment-it-is-equally-about-winning-and/) [Nita Ambani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nita-ambani/) > [One of the ways that I discovered my confidence and my ability to overpower is becoming a mother. Suddenly, my world wasn't about myself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lights/one-of-the-ways-that-i-discovered-my-confidence-and-my-ability-to/) [Lights](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lights/) > [I didn't want to do 'Fashion Police' because I thought, 'This is stupid, this is beneath me, who wants to talk about fashion?' It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-rivers/i-didn-t-want-to-do-fashion-police-because-i-thought-this-is-stupid/) [Joan Rivers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-rivers/) > [I just worried about my weight. Worried about my appearance and thought I wan't pretty enough to be a pop star. It was very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-durham/i-just-worried-about-my-weight-worried-about-my-appearance-and/) [Judith Durham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-durham/) > [I read a couple of books about neuroscience and the relationship between the mind and the body.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-kinnaman/i-read-a-couple-of-books-about-neuroscience-and-the-relationship/) [Joel Kinnaman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-kinnaman/) > [There are a lot of kids out there copying and distributing movies - not because they care about seeing the movies or sharing them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-perry-barlow/there-are-a-lot-of-kids-out-there-copying-and-distributing-movies-not/) [John Perry Barlow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-perry-barlow/) > [I have no physical genius about me. I can't dribble a ball and run at the same time, I can't do lay-ups - I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rich-mullins/i-have-no-physical-genius-about-me-i-can-t-dribble-a-ball-and-run-at/) [Rich Mullins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rich-mullins/) [Browse all 26,122 About quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/about/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "A friend once asked me what comedy was. That floored me. What is comedy? I don't know. Does anybody? Can you define it? All I know is that I learned how to get laughs, and that's all I know about it. 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