[I have had it pointed out to me that the term is obviously ‘self-deprecation‘ – so add ‘semi-literate’ to the list.]
Although I certainly agree with Ace that far too many of our esteemed opposite numbers utterly lack any tendency towards it – anyway, when you’re trying for effective comedy involving others it’s only half the story. The other half is empathy. It is my opinion that really good comedy about others has with it the subtext That could be me that this is happening to, and if you can’t believe that about yourself, then you’re going to be, at best, merely savagely mocking your target. Which is fun, admittedly, but it’s not as effective as people think.
Yes, thank you, I’m quite well aware that this argument possibly indicts me as a puerile sort of person. I’m a bit of a sadist, too. Plus, I have dandruff. Your point?
Crossposted on RedState.
I agree, but it should be DEPRECATE, not DEPRECIATE. You could argue for DEPRECIATE, but you probably will!
D’OH!