[color:"orange"]The Pun--the lowest form of humor or the foundation of all humor? [/color]
neither!
or
either?
No! - neither!
Undisputably, the pun is a form of humor - but it's neither low nor simple nor basic. The foundation of humor would be a twist in understanding - a difference between literal meaning and implied meaning (sometimes it works the other way round though). And that is not to be meant as a full definition of humor, as there are other ways also to create humor.
A pun - is a pun_ch. A strike, a headline, something short and direct - and something that works better when written, respectively read. (Here we're back to the fine modulations of pronunciation! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/winkwink.gif" alt="" />)
A pun - is a gun. Anyone not knowing the implication of the twisted word(s) is dead - serious.
In times of crisis it is of the utmost importance not to lose your head (Marie Antoinette)
