Humor Me: Exploring the Definition and Application of This Expression
You might believe you understand the meaning of “humor me,” but is that truly the case? While it could seem related to making a joke, the phrase has no such connection.
Many of the words and phrases in English can be misleading, as they often convey meanings different from what they appear to suggest. The expression “humor me” is a prime example of this phenomenon.
“Humor me” is a phrase used to ask someone to indulge or listen patiently. It implies a request for the other person to let them share their thoughts or narrative. Some believe that humoring someone means appeasing them while disregarding your own perspective.
Yet it isn’t entirely negative, as there are appropriate moments and situations where such an expression can be fitting.
Indulge me briefly while I explain the phrase’s background, its significance, and the appropriate ways and occasions to employ it.
How to Properly Utilize the PhraseEntertain Me
The expression “humor me” rarely stands alone. It often appears in different forms. Someone might say, “humor me, why not?” or “just humor me, okay?” instead.
You may encounter several of these frequently seen variations.
Just Play Along With Me
The expression “humor me” is frequently paired with the word “just.”
Using “just” is meant to make a request seem more courteous, which likely explains its frequent pairing with the expression “humor me.”
Fred: Chimpanzees are the most amazing creatures on Earth!
Earl: No chance, sloths are way more awesome!
Fred: Oh, come on, just play along with me!
Jack: Let me share this incredible story with you!
Jill: What is the main subject or focus?
Jack: My golden pet fish.
Jill: [groans]
Jack:Just play along—it’s an amazing tale!
Humor Me With remains a playful invitation to engage with wit and lightheartedness, encouraging a moment of shared amusement and creativity. The phrase retains its charm as a call to embrace laughter and spontaneity, fostering connection through the joy of humor.
This minor adjustment in phrasing is typically suited for a professional setting.
Example 1:John, this business plan appears solid, but could you indulge me with the details?
Example 2:I appreciate what you’ve shown so far, Tracy. Just walk me through the specifics to put my mind at ease.
In these instances, the expression is employed to ask for further details. It is typically used by someone in a higher-ranking role.
Indulge Me for a Moment
“Indulge me for a moment,” offers a subtle twist on the expression. Here, the speaker employs it to request a small degree of leniency.
Indulge me for a moment while I remove the chicken from the oven.
Indulge me for a moment while I go see how the kids are doing.
Stop patronizing me.
This presents a unique twist on the expression where individuals request that you refrain from humoring them. Such a reaction may occur when they feel patronized or exasperated.
Having explored the different ways to use the phrase “humor me,” you may also find it helpful to familiarize yourself with other expressions like “whether it be” and “with that being said.”
Where, About Whom, and At What TimeHumor Me: How to Use It Effectively
Similar to many English expressions, “humor me” is suitable in specific situations. While there are times when the phrase fits perfectly, there are also instances where it might not be the best choice.
It is widely considered appropriate to indulge others with humor under these circumstances.
Entertaining Kids
The expression is commonly used in interactions with children. For instance, if a child shares a lengthy, elaborate yet far-fetched tale, we indulge them by allowing the story to conclude without interruption or judgment.
This occurs as children frequently struggle to distinguish between reality and imagination. Although they will grasp this distinction over time, criticizing them is unproductive, which is why we indulge their perceptions.
Child:Today during school hours, a spaceship filled with extraterrestrial beings took our mathematics teacher away.
Parent:How lovely, sweetheart.
Child: They informed us she wouldn’t return, which meant no more maths homework from that day onward!
Parent: Is that so?
Child:Aliens are awesome!
Parent:If you insist.
Children rarely say “humor me,” yet it’s commonly understood that you’ll comply without needing a request.
Keeping Customers Amused
If you’re familiar with the saying, “the customer is always right,” chances are you’ve had experience in the customer service field.
In this field, professionals frequently need to indulge the customer to prevent complaints. This is particularly relevant when dealing with challenging or unreasonable clients who may not engage in rational or composed discussions. Sometimes, placating them becomes necessary to ease tensions and restore a productive conversation.
Once more, clients might not phrase it identically, yet the underlying anticipation remains:
Waiter: How do you prefer your steak cooked?
Customer:I’d like my steak cooked rare, thank you.
[The meal is served]
Customer: Why is my steak still rare? I specifically asked for medium rare!
Waiter: Apologies for the error—I’ll return shortly with your medium-rare steak.
When you face a challenging individual or someone acting unpredictably, often the wisest choice isn’t to confront or engage with them, but simply to smile and wave.
Amusing the Elderly
Elderly individuals, including grandparents or older family members, are frequently humored as well. This behavior stems from a desire to avoid causing them discomfort or distress due to their advanced age.
Grandpa: How’s it going, Jack?
John:It’s Grandpa, John.
Grandpa:What did you say, Jack?
John: I’m okay, thank you.
In certain situations, the assumption that one should humor another exists even without the phrase being used.
Keeping Your Partner Amused
Most individuals in a marriage or committed relationship will find themselves engaging in a considerable amount of humoring. This concept goes closely alongside compromise.
For a relationship to thrive, it’s best not to turn every minor disagreement into a conflict, which is why sometimes you might choose to indulge your partner’s perspective.
Once more, my husband left the toilet seat up, but since he’s had a tough day, I’ll let it slide for now.
Though the husband believed it was wise to indulge his wife’s preferences regarding their television viewing choices.
These examples highlight various situations where we engage in humor with others, each driven by distinct motivations.
“Humor Me” Compared to Laugh-Out-Loud Comedy
Humor is fundamentally linked to comedy in its simplest interpretation. Possessing a “good sense of humor” implies an individual’s capacity to find amusement and express laughter.
Example: That girl possessed an incredible sense of humor. She was constantly laughing and sharing jokes.
However, humor can also characterize an individual’s mood and disposition (source).
Yet, identifying humor in the latter style might prove challenging, as it has fallen out of favor in contemporary usage. People rarely refer to an individual’s “humor” in everyday conversation.
You rarely hear someone reply, “Oh, I am in good humor, thank you,” when asked how they are. It comes across as quite old-fashioned.
Rather than referring to comedy, we use the term “mood” to describe someone’s state. In the phrase “humor me,” humor relates to mood rather than amusement or jokes.
The expression “humor me” refers to indulging someone or complying with their wishes to prevent them from feeling annoyed or distressed. In essence, when you do this, you are “humoring them.”
It’s not that hot out! Put on the lovely jersey I made for you—just do me this favor, okay?
I shifted the table into the corner; I realize it appears unusual, but just bear with me.
In English, the expression carries the same meaning as “do me a favor,” “please me,” “make my day,” and “bear with me” (source).
Let me know if you love the corner table—it’ll brighten my day!
Hold on a moment while I pop into the supermarket real quick.
Humor versus Humour
At this point, it’s worth mentioning that “humor” and “humour” carry identical meanings. The distinction lies in their spelling: “humor” is used in American English, while “humour” follows British English conventions.
British English frequently includes extra U’s in many words and commonly substitutes Z’s with S’s.
The Reasons Behind Our Acceptance of the Phrase
Some English speakers often disagree with the expression ‘humor me’ because it implies listening to or accepting something against their will.
Urban Dictionary describes it as agreeing to something foolish or meaningless just to keep someone content.
Although this holds true, the expression retains relevance in contemporary language. In English, one might encounter the saying “keeping the peace,” which fundamentally refers to taking action solely to prevent a dispute or conflict.
We also employ it to prevent causing emotional harm or to dismiss someone’s words as unimportant or unworthy of consideration. Deep down, the majority of individuals strive to please others and aim to avoid deliberately upsetting them or making them feel uncomfortable.
One explanation for why we embrace the expression “humor me” is our reluctance to sour someone’s mood, particularly when the conflict isn’t justified.
The phrase “humor me” serves as a means to preserve a positive atmosphere. This is the primary explanation for why we acknowledge it upon hearing and respond accordingly.
In this article, we’ve examined the phrase “humor me,” but it’s worth noting that its usage can vary in different contexts.
The Evolution of Humor: A Concise Historical Overview
Long ago, physiologists believed that four distinct fluids shaped human physical traits and personality. These fluids were referred to as “humors” (source).
The four humors consisted of blood, phlegm, choler (yellow bile), and melancholy (black bile). Ancient thinkers believed these were linked to the four seasons and the four fundamental elements of nature: earth, air, fire, and water.
The physiologists proposed that each individual was composed of varying proportions of the four humors. Yet, they believed the perfect balance would be achieved if all four humors existed in equal amounts within a person.
Ancient thinkers identified four primary personality types, grounded in the physiological theory of the four humors (source).
Sanguine
A person with an excess of blood was considered sanguine. According to ancient beliefs, the liver produced blood, so those with this temperament were thought to exhibit traits like cheerfulness, bravery, hope, and a positive outlook.
Phlegmatic
A person who produced too much phlegm was labeled phlegmatic. Phlegmatic individuals were viewed as more tranquil yet somewhat indifferent, as they linked both the brain and the lungs to the generation of phlegm.
Choleric
A choleric temperament was linked to an overabundance of yellow bile in an individual’s constitution. The spleen was thought to produce yellow bile. Those with a choleric disposition often exhibited heightened anger and were more susceptible to fits of irritation.
Melancholic
It was believed that an individual with a melancholic disposition had an overabundance of black bile. The gallbladder was considered the source of black bile production. Symptoms of this temperamental imbalance included intense depression and heightened anxiety.
An excess of one humor over the others might lead to mental instability or irrational behavior. To restore equilibrium among the four humors, doctors frequently performed bloodletting on patients.
In the 16th Century, the term “humor” began to signify a person’s emotional state. Achieving good health required maintaining equilibrium among all four humors (source).
Closing Reflections
I appreciate you indulging me as I explained everything about the phrase “humor me,” including its proper usage and the reasons behind it.
Though the phrase isn’t as widely used as comparable sayings such as “do me a favor” or “bear with me,” it remains a captivating expression with a rich and intriguing background.
