Thank you, Kim for your query. It is a small article. 03:51 Jul 23, 2005
May be the following paragraph will give you a better picture: To begin with, we need to be reminded that laughter is often a form of malicious self-assertion. In pre-historic times laughter was a sign of victory; physiologically it accompanied and aided in the relaxation of the nerves and muscles after a tense struggle or fight. In time laughter became associated with the external signs of injury in others: a broken nose, a black eye, or a maimed leg. The injured party with his telltale signs of humiliation was a potential enemy of no particular danger. This is ridicule; and it is still the typical form of laughter indulged in by children of all nations. |