ABSTRACT
Humour plays a fundamental role in in-law relationships because the unique position of the mother-in-law is culturally recognized and expressed through the medium of mother-in-law jokes. Humour, when expressed in jokes and joking behaviour which disparages the mother-in-law, appears to be gender specific. Whilst humour plays an important role in the negotiation and renegotiation of the mother-inlaw’s conduct, it seems that men are not compelled to regulate their mothers’ behaviour in similar ways. The significance of cultural bound humour is not lost on the professional stand up comedian for whom mother-in-law jokes are a stock-in-trade. The mother-in-law, therefore, is culturally recognized as a legitimate target of Western humour and, as Gray points out, this type of humour is a political act. Mother-in-law jokes are founded on barely disguised misogyny which is allowed expression because it is supported by the power of laughter.
