Gallows humor

Gallows humor is humor that makes light of death or other serious matters. It is similar to black comedy but differs in that it is made by the person affected.

Examples

From Shakespeare's play Romeo and Juliet, Act 3 scene 1:
Mercutio is stabbed in a swordfight.
Romeo:

Courage, man; the hurt cannot be much.

Mercutio:

No, 'tis not so deep as a well, nor so wide as a church-door; but 'tis enough, 'twill serve: ask for me to-morrow, and you shall find me a grave man.

As Sir Thomas More climbed a rickety scaffold where he would be executed, he said to his executioner:

"I pray you, Mr. Lieutenant, see me safe up; and for my coming down, let me shift for myself."

See also

Famous last words

External Links

Last Words: A collection of famous last words...