Humour is everywhere—from ancient cave paintings to viral TikTok videos. It’s in the sly smirk of a toddler hiding cookies behind their back, in Shakespeare’s witty wordplay, and in memes that circle the globe in seconds. But while we’re all familiar with the experience of humor, a question remains: where did it come from? Why do humans laugh? Why do we find things funny in the first place?

In this blog, we explore the fascinating roots of humor—from its evolutionary functions to its cultural emergence and psychological impact. Spoiler alert: humour isn’t just about jokes. It’s deeply wired into the human experience.

Humour: An Evolutionary Survival Tool

Let’s start millions of years ago—before the punchlines and dad jokes. Scientists believe that humour may have evolved as a social survival mechanism. In the wild, survival often depended not just on physical strength, but on the ability to form alliances, defuse tension, and communicate quickly.

Laughter likely predates language, emerging as a form of non-verbal social bonding. In fact, other primates like chimpanzees and bonobos also engage in play and even produce laugh-like vocalizations when tickled or playing. This suggests that the roots of humour go way back in our evolutionary family tree.
But why did laughter stick around?

• To build trust: Laughter shows others that you’re not a threat. In tight-knit communities, that kind of signaling was essential.
• To reduce stress: Group laughter likely reduced social tensions and released endorphins, improving cohesion.
• To show intelligence: As humans evolved larger brains, humour became a sign of cognitive flexibility—a trait attractive to potential mates.

In other words, humour helped us survive by promoting connection, reducing conflict, and advertising smarts. No wonder it’s still such a powerful tool today.

Laughter Before Language

Before spoken language existed, early humans still needed ways to communicate emotions like fear, joy, or confusion. Laughter may have functioned as a “proto-language”, signaling complex emotions long before we had words to describe them.

Some anthropologists argue that shared laughter was a primitive bonding mechanism, much like grooming among primates. It communicated safety and friendliness, helping groups grow larger without falling apart. As societies became more complex, so did the sense of humour.

Imagine an early human tripping over a log during a hunt and popping back up with a sheepish grin. Others laugh—not out of cruelty, but as a way to relieve tension and say, “We’re all okay.” That momentary laughter carries complex emotional meaning—all without a single word.

The First “Jokes” in History

Of course, as soon as language developed, humour got an upgrade.
The oldest recorded joke comes from Sumeria around 1900 BCE. It goes something like:

“Something which has never occurred since time immemorial:
a young woman did not fart in her husband’s lap.”

Yes—the world’s oldest joke is a fart joke. Apparently, our ancestors weren’t that different after all.

Ancient Egyptian, Greek, and Roman cultures all had their versions of comedy, often performed in public theaters or written in literature. Humour was used to criticize power, explore taboos, and connect with the audience on a human level.

In medieval times, jesters and fools used humour to entertain royalty – often serving as the only people allowed to mock kings and queens without losing their heads. Humor, then, wasn’t just entertainment. It was political commentary, truth-telling, and social release.

The Psychology of Humour

Fast-forward to today, and psychologists are still trying to define what makes something “funny.” There’s no single answer, but there are some leading theories:

• Incongruity Theory: We laugh when things are unexpected or don’t make sense in a surprising way (like a talking dog or a baby quoting Shakespeare).
• Superiority Theory: We laugh because we feel superior to someone else’s misfortune—think slapstick comedy.
• Relief Theory: Humour is a way to release pent-up nervous energy, especially around taboo subjects or social stress.

Regardless of the theory, what’s clear is that humour often deals with surprise, conflict, and resolution. It plays with expectations, invites reflection, and often hides deeper truths behind a laugh.
Humour can be coping mechanism, a weapon, a shield, or a bridge between people.

Cultural Humour: A Moving Target

While the urge to laugh seems universal, what we laugh at is deeply cultural. Humour is shaped by language, values, social norms, and history.
For example:

• British humour is known for its sarcasm and understatement.
• American humour often leans on absurdity and exaggeration.
• Japanese humour can be highly visual and pun-based.
• In some cultures, self-deprecating humour is common; in others, it might be considered shameful.

This cultural variance shows that humour evolves along with society. What’s funny in one century may be offensive in another. What one culture laughs at, another might not even understand.
Still, the existence of humour across all societies suggests it’s a fundamental part of being human – even if the jokes themselves differ wildly.

Why We Still Need Humour Today

In today’s world—stressed, hyper-connected, and increasingly complex—humour serves even more essential roles than it did for our cave-dwelling ancestors.

• It breaks tension in difficult conversations.
• It humanizes leaders and connects strangers.
• It helps us cope with fear, grief, and uncertainty.
• It builds resilience, boosts morale, and even improves our health.

During crises – from global pandemics to political turmoil – humour often thrives. Not because people don’t care, but because laughter is a form of survival. It allows us to reclaim control, even if only for a moment.
And thanks to the internet, humour spreads faster than ever. A meme created in one bedroom can go viral globally within minutes. It’s the modern-day version of sharing jokes around the campfire—only now the campfire is digital, and it never goes out.

Final Thoughts: Humour as Human Essence

So, where did humour come from?

It likely started as a way to say, “I’m safe, you’re safe, we’re okay.” Over time, it became more sophisticated—layered with irony, satire, absurdity, and play. But its core purpose has remained the same: to connect us, to heal us, and to remind us of our shared humanity.

In a sense, humour is proof that we are thinking, feeling, social beings – capable of recognizing life’s contradictions and laughing anyway.
So next time you laugh at something ridiculous, awkward, or clever, remember: you’re participating in an ancient, evolutionary tradition. One that predates language, survived empires, and will outlive TikTok trends.

Because humour isn’t just part of our culture—it’s part of who we are.