"Impropriety is the soul of wit"
- W. Somerset Maugham
About this Quote
This quote by W. Somerset Maugham suggests that wit, or humor, is frequently discovered in the inappropriate. It suggests that humor can be found in the unexpected, which it is frequently the result of an offense of social norms. This might mean that humor is often discovered in the taboo, or in the unanticipated. It could likewise mean that humor is typically found in the unconventional, or in the unforeseen. In other words, it recommends that humor is often found in the unanticipated, and that it is typically the outcome of an offense of social norms. This quote encourages us to believe outside package and to be innovative in our technique to humor. It suggests that humor can be discovered in the unconventional, and that it can be an effective tool for communication.
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