据《现代汉语词典》注解：幽默一词源于拉丁文，原义指“潮湿”，后转义为“液体”，出现于医学界。欧洲文艺复兴运动之后，开始向社会生活领域和艺术领域转移。到了近代，幽默一词成为美学概念，指生活中不能枯燥乏味，有“足以使人逗乐、发笑或消遣”的意思。
According to the Contemporary Chinese Dictionary, "humor" comes from Latin, originally meaning "damp", and was later used as a medical term meaning "liquid". After the European Renaissance, it extended into the areas of art and social life. In modern times, the word "humor" has become an aesthetic concept. Now it refers to the fact that life should not be dry and dull, or something is interesting enough to make one at ease, amused or entertained.
幽默是智慧、学识、机敏的结晶，幽默在我们社会、家庭、工作、学习、生活中不可或缺。加拿大人朗宁从小在中国长大，他在参加竞选州长时，对手攻击他说：“听说你是吃中国奶妈的奶长大的，那你身上一定有中国血统。”朗宁回答说：“不错，我是吃中国奶妈的奶长大的。不过，有确凿证据证明，你是喝牛奶长大的，可见你的身上有牛的血统。”朗宁按照对方的推理逻辑推出一个十分荒谬的结论，用幽默的语言轻而易举地驳倒了对手的观点。
Humor is the crystallization of wit, knowledge, and resourcefulness. It is also indispensable to our work, study, family, society, and life in general. A Canadian, Mr. Lansing, lived in China from a young age. When he was running for Lieutenant Governor in Canada, his opponent attacked him saying, "I heard you were raised on a Chinese wet nurse's milk, so you must have Chinese blood." Lansing replied, "That's right. I was raised on a Chinese wet nurse's milk. But, I have verified evidence that you were raised on cow's milk. So, you must have cow's blood." Based on his opponent's logic, Lanning produced an absurd conclusion and readily refuted his opponent's fallacy with a bit of humor.
幽默是家庭生活的润滑剂，它有助于稳定情绪，使气氛和谐融洽。一对青年人结婚不久，丈夫就表现出大男子主义，对妻子说：“在这个家里我说了算，你得听我的。”这种态度很可能会导致双方争吵。而那位妻子却不慌不忙地说：“行，我们意见一致时听你的；意见不一致时听我的。”一句话就把原来紧张的气氛缓解了。
Humor is also the lubricant of family life. It helps to ease nerves and creates a harmonious and friendly atmosphere. Shortly after a young couple was married, the husband expressed his chauvinistic side when telling his wife, "In this house, I make the decisions, and you do what I say." This type of attitude could have easily resulted in quarreling. However, the wife calmly and gently replied, "Okay, when we agree on something, I will do what you say. But, when we disagree, you do what I say." With this simple remark, the wife completely diffused a tense situation.
幽默是人类生命的冬青树，它好像化学反应中的酸碱中和，常可以化干戈为玉帛，使剑拨弩张的双方相视一笑，握手言和。以盛产笑话闻名的山西万荣县，两个人在争吵：“你为什么不讲理？”，“我本来就没理，和你讲什么理？”一场“战争”被笑声制止了。德国诗人歌德在公园里散步，与一位批评家在一条仅能让一人通过的小路上相遇。批评家说：“我从来不给蠢货让路。”歌德笑着退到路边：“我恰恰相反。”幽默之后，在笑声中有理的一方消气了，没理的一方道了歉而又不伤自尊。显然，这比无理强辩和直接认错效果要好得多。笑声中，歌德将“蠢货”的头衔还给了批评家，批评家无言以对，只好笑纳。歌德不仅达到了反击的目的，而且显示了自己的智慧，留下了千古佳话。
Humor serves as a breath of fresh air in our lives, and it is like a chemical reaction neutralizing all types of acidic feelings. It can even turn hostility into friendship. In China's Wanrong County, Shanxi Province, a place widely famous for its humorous stories, two men were once quarreling. One said, "Why are you so unreasonable?" The other man replied, "If I am so unreasonable, why are you trying to reason with me." Thus, a "war of words" was prevented with a bit of laughter.In another instance, the German poet Goethe was walking in the park when he encountered a critic. The man said, "I never give way to idiots." Chuckling, Goethe stepped aside and said, "I do." Humor, in such cases, allows the offended to be mollified, while the offender recognizes his error and still maintains face. This obviously produces far better results than unreasonable arguments or direct apologies. With laughter, Goethe indirectly called his critic an idiot, and the critic had no choice but accept. Goethe not only was successful in reversing the criticism, but he also expressed his wit and left behind a wonderful story for future generations.
恩格斯认为，幽默是智慧、教养和道德感的表现。它具有干预和娱悦生活的功能。幽默本身是轻松的，获得幽默却需要繁重的劳动；幽默本身是愉快的，具备幽默的素养却需要艰苦的努力。因此，这就需要加强学习和修养，善于从生活中汲取营养，把握技巧，寓庄于谐，使生活充满乐趣。
The German writer and philosopher, Engels, believed that humor is an indication of wit, upbringing, and sense of morality. Humor functions to enrich life and make it more joyful. Humor is inherently relaxing, but to acquire it takes hard work. Humor itself is entertaining, but cultivating a sense of humor requires painstaking efforts. So, it is important to en our appreciation of humor and strive to derive its life-giving nourishment. We should gain certain skills to use humor in conveying a serious message and make our lives more pleasurable.