ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on humorous metaphors and the aspects of patient experience that they are used to describe. It begins with some definitions and a brief overview of relevant literature in humour studies, metaphor and health communication. The chapter gives a detailed introduction to the Warped thread and its contributors, and outlines how corpus methods helped people identify the humorous metaphors. It examines three characteristically humorous uses of metaphors: personifications of cancer and treatment paraphernalia; participants' figurative references to one another; and co-created fantasy scenarios involving metaphor. The chapter discusses a few examples detailing experiences that are potentially embarrassing or taboo, and examples that enable contributors to maintain a coherent sense of identity in the face of rapid change. It also discusses examples that potentially facilitate a sense of self-empowerment, and a group of examples that seem to contribute to solidarity, bonding and a sense of community.
