laugh a minute: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘laugh a minute’ mean?
The idiom "laugh a minute" refers to someone or something that is consistently funny or amusing, providing frequent moments of laughter.
Idiom Explorer
An idiom, "one moment," is often used to ask for a brief pause or to indicate a short delay in a conversation or an action.
One moment is an idiom used to ask someone to wait momentarily or to respond to a request. The idiom is commonly used in formal and informal contexts and is considered a common phrase in English.
The idiom "laugh all the way to the bank" means to feel a sense of satisfaction or joy when you have made a lot of money or have been successful in financial matters.
The idiom "last minute" refers to the final moments before a deadline or event. It suggests that something is done or happens with very little time or notice remaining, often causing rushed or stressful situations.
The idiom "knee slapper" refers to a joke or humorous situation that is extremely funny, causing someone to slap their knee in laughter.
The idiom "just a second" is used to ask for a brief moment of time or to indicate a short delay. It is a common phrase used in everyday conversations to request someone's patience or to postpone a task briefly.
The idiom "just a minute" is used to politely ask for a short delay or to indicate that something will be done shortly. It is a common phrase used in everyday conversations to express the need for a brief moment of time.
The idiom "in the wink of an eye" means to happen very quickly or to be done in an instant.
The idiom "in the wink of an eye" is a commonly used expression in the English language. It describes a very short period of time, suggesting that something happens rapidly or instantaneously. The phrase is believed to have originated from the action of winking, which is the rapid closing and opening of one eye.
The idiom "in the twinkling of an eye" means something happens extremely quickly or instantaneously.
The idiom "in the twinkling of an eye" is a common phrase used to express the notion of something happening very quickly or suddenly. It is often used to describe an action or event that occurs so rapidly that it seems to happen almost instantaneously. The phrase has origins dating back to at least the 14th century and has persisted in the English language ever since.
The idiom "in the blink of an eye" means something happening extremely quickly or instantaneously.
The idiom "in the blink of an eye" is a widely recognized expression in the English language. It is often used to describe something that happens quickly or instantaneously, emphasizing the speed or brevity of an event or action. The origins of this idiom can be traced back to the physiology of blinking and its associations with quickness and reflexes.
When someone is "in stitches," it means they are uncontrollably laughing or finding something extremely amusing.
The Hidden Humor of 'Laugh a Minute'
The idiom "laugh a minute" is a colloquial expression commonly used in American English. It is considered to be an informal phrase that describes someone or something that is humorous or funny. The phrase is often used to express the idea of constant, non-stop laughter or to describe a person who is consistently entertaining or amusing.
The origin and etymology of the idiom "laugh a minute" are not very clear. The phrase seems to have emerged in the mid-20th century, but its exact origin is uncertain. It is likely that the idiom evolved from the literal sense of the word "minute" as a unit of time, combined with the figurative use of "laugh" to denote amusement or mirth. The combination of these words implies a high frequency or intensity of laughter occurring within a short span of time.
The idiom "laugh a minute" is often used in a positive or approving manner to describe someone with a great sense of humor or a situation or event that is exceptionally funny. It can be used to convey admiration, enjoyment, or amusement, and is often employed in casual conversations, informal writing, or comedic contexts.
While the idiom is primarily used in American English, it is also understood in other English-speaking countries. It may be used to describe a wide range of comedic situations or individuals, such as stand-up comedians, funny movies, jokes, anecdotes, or light-hearted conversations. The idiom may also be employed sarcastically or ironically to suggest that something or someone is not as funny or amusing as expected.
The phrase "have a laugh" is a related idiom that is often used to encourage or invite someone to engage in lighthearted and enjoyable activities. It is commonly used to suggest that someone should participate in or enjoy something that is amusing, entertaining, or humorous. For example, a friend might say, "Let's go to the comedy club and have a laugh!" This expression conveys a sense of camaraderie and enjoyment in shared laughter.
Another related idiom is "just a minute," which is often used to request or indicate a short period of time. It implies that the speaker needs a brief moment to attend to something or that they are about to do something quickly. However, it is not directly related to the idiom "laugh a minute" in terms of meaning or usage.
The phrase "one moment" is yet another related idiom that is used to request or indicate a short period of time. It is often used in a polite and courteous manner to ask someone to wait briefly or to indicate that they will be assisted shortly. Like "just a minute," this idiom is not directly related to the idiom "laugh a minute" in terms of meaning or usage.
To summarize, the idiom "laugh a minute" is an informal expression used to describe something or someone that is consistently humorous or funny. Its exact origin is uncertain, but it likely evolved from the combination of the word "minute" as a unit of time and the figurative use of "laugh." The idiom is commonly used in American English to convey a high frequency or intensity of laughter within a short span of time. It is often employed in casual conversations, informal writing, or comedic contexts to describe situations, events, or individuals that bring about amusement or enjoyment.
Example usage
Examples of how the idiom *laugh a minute* can be used in a sentence:
- She is always entertaining with her witty jokes and funny stories - she is a laugh a minute!
- The comedy show last night was hilarious - it was a laugh a minute from start to finish.
- Even during the most stressful situations, he always manages to find something humorous to say and keep everyone laughing - he truly is a laugh a minute.
The idiom *laugh a minute* is often used to describe someone or something that is consistently funny or entertaining. It implies that there are constant moments of laughter or amusement. It can be used to describe a person who is known for their humorous nature, a comedy show or event that is packed with funny moments, or a situation where laughter is continuous despite the circumstances.
More "Humor" idioms
