gallows humor

noun

1. humor that treats serious, frightening, or painful subject matter in a light or satirical way.

Word History and Origins

Origin of gallows humor¹

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

But Ghaddar countered with some gallows humor.

From Los Angeles Times

Streetwise and informed by Price’s trademark dialogue and gallows humor, it’s a tale of individual redemption and an exploration of the precarity of American life.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s a gallows humor with a dark edge.

From New York Times

Testifying Thursday, Davidson, who also represented adult film star Stormy Daniels, explained that the texts were a form of "gallows humor," NBC News reported.

From Salon

Memegen has been a place for employees to offer blunt critiques of their bosses, to share gallows humor about job cuts or joke about getting notes from their parents to excuse them from returning to the office after the pandemic.

From New York Times