20 Ways to Laugh
by Mark Nichol
Go ahead and try this (if you’re alone, that is): Explore all the varieties of laughter you can produce, and label each one. There’s an often-distinct word or phrase for each type. Here are twenty ways to laugh, and some related expressions.
1. (Be) in stitches: to laugh.
2. Belly-laugh: to laugh in a deep, hearty manner, as if from the abdomen or in such a way that one’s abdomen moves from the exertion.
3. Break up: to laugh as if helplessly.
4. Cachinnate: to laugh loudly and/or obnoxiously.
5. Cackle: to laugh harshly or sharply.
6. Chortle: to chuckle or to otherwise laugh to express satisfaction or triumph.
7. Chuckle: to laugh mildly and/or quietly.
8. Crack up: see “break up.”
9. Crow: to laugh derisively or gloatingly.
10. Giggle: to laugh with short, repetitive sounds.
11. Guffaw: to laugh boisterously and/or loudly.
12. Hee-haw: a synonym for guffaw.
13. Horselaugh: To laugh in a way suggestive of or in imitation of a horse’s neighing or whinnying.
14. Jeer: to laugh disrespectfully or mockingly.
15. Scoff: to laugh derisively or dismissively.
16. Snicker: to partially suppress a laugh, as if to conceal one’s mirth.
17. Snigger: an alteration of snicker, with the additional connotation of mischief.
18. Split (one’s) sides: to laugh convulsively, as if continuing to do so will cause one’s body to rupture.
19. Titter: to laugh in an affected manner, or nervously; also a synonym ofsnicker and snigger.
20. Twitter: a synonym of giggle or titter, but also means to chatter or to tremble as if agitated.
One can howl, roar, scream, shriek, snort, or whoop with laughter. One can also be said to burst (or bust) out laughing, to convulse with laughter, to die laughing, and to be helpless with laughter, as well as to roll in the aisles (as if unable to keep from falling into the aisle while seated at a humorous performance). Other idioms include “laugh your head off” and “laugh yourself silly.” Can you think of any more words or idioms?
*http://www.dailywritingtips.com/20-ways-to-laugh/
