Self-deprecating.html



Many comedians use self-deprecating humor to avoid seeming arrogant or pompous, and to help the audience identify with them. In this way, its use could be seen as an application of the rhetorical concept of ethos. A number of comics, including Chris Rock, Katt Williams, Chris Tucker, Steve Harvey, Sinbad (comedian), Adam Carolla, Jon Stewart, Artie Lange, Rodney Dangerfield, Dave Attell, Larry the Cable Guy, Woody Allen, David Letterman, Sean Rouse, Larry David, Ricky Gervais, Jim Gaffigan, Dave Hughes, Russell Peters, Brian Regan and, later in his career, George Burns - built much of their acts around their own perceived unattractiveness, weight, age and/or lack of appeal to the opposite sex.

Self-deprecation can also be used to better oneself in social situations.¹

Self-deprecation also refers to making negative statements regarding one's own appearance or abilities, such as saying "I'm so fat" or "I'm such an idiot", often with the intended result that their friends will tell them that they really aren't. Statements and patterns of behavior such as these may indicate self image or self esteem problems.

See also

• Human self-reflection
• Depression

References