Ways of becoming witty?

[Sentox6]

Become sarcastic. It works well.
People say that it's the lowest form of wit, but those are usually the people who just got owned.

Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit, but it's also the highest form of insult.

 

[Deofuta]

Obtain a British Accent.

/thread

 

[Kragg]

I think people are just born witty, that's how it works.

So, unless you can get Ben Elton to write for you, it looks like you're stuck with what you are.

I suggest praying for an interesting reincarnation.

yeah also if one is trying to be witty it automatically fails

 

[More Fun To Compute]

Believe that it is mostly about being quick in thinking up some barbed or pithy comment. If it offends someone who is out of favour or not there then you are witty but if you offend the wrong people you are just an arsehole.

 

[SimuLord]

Memorize a bunch of clever responses to a broad selection of social interactions, then spring them when the time is right.

Works better if you're autistic.

As far as "becoming witty", it's something you're born with. Your Charisma stat is rolled at birth and can at best be notched up a point or two with public speaking classes, improv workshops, or just plain watching funny people and learning. But if you ain't funny, you ain't never gonna be funny.

 

[Dimbo_Sama]

unless you can get Ben Elton to write for you, it looks like you're stuck with what you are.

Well that's a two edged sword, cause either you become hillariously witty
or you end up singing classic pop-music songs in a narrative that makes no sense if people haven't been paying attention to you since the begining

 

[D0WNT0WN]

Either alot of practice or be born British thats the way it usually works.

 

[Resurrectionist]

Trying to be witty or constant wittiness is annoying and obnoxious.

Well timed apropos application of wit is spontaneous and best served dry.

*This does not apply to the written word or prepared statements...


...or Yahtzee;

 

[Lemon Of Life]

Don't try to hard? Seriously, even if you are tired of being a boring person (wittingishly speaking, of course), trying too hard to be funny is a sure-fire way of suddenly realizing you have very few friends.

 

[bjj hero]

You have it, or you don't. Wit isn't something you can gain.

If you're not witty, do something else rather than worry about if other people care whether or not you're witty. Other people are stupid anyway.

I completely disagree. It is a skill like any other and will improve with practice and study. Read widely, get used to talking socially, take oportunity to speak and converse in group settings ans learn to relax.

Similar to public speaking or presentation skills witticism will improve if you use it and work on it. It may appear to be forced for a while but it will get easier. Half of the battle is having confidence.

 

[Andalusa]

I don't think people can become witty, they just are.

 

[interspark]

read comedy books written by clever people, i highly recommend Douglass Adams

 

[LiftYourSkinnyFists]

Fellow Escapists, in what way can one become witty? I have never seen myself as being witty being that I often talk radnom jibberish to which no one cares to which I hope someone giggles to which a lot of the time it does happen and I am pleased. But I was watching some Blackadder and I thought he is one witty man and is henceforth very cool. I know this would probably knock my popularity down like what a Wrecking Ball does to a block of flats. (Was that witty? Probabaly shite I don't know I can't define it either, oh the tragedy). Anyway can anyone help me? I just realised, how could I call Blackadder witty without knowing what witty means? I just thought what he says is along the lines of wittiness. Anyway my fellow Escapists give me the key to the holy gate of the Witty so I can further my knowledge on the human psyche or mind or whatever it is you call it. Tar very much chuck!

Not asking stupid questions.

 

[Therumancer]

Fellow Escapists, in what way can one become witty? I have never seen myself as being witty being that I often talk radnom jibberish to which no one cares to which I hope someone giggles to which a lot of the time it does happen and I am pleased. But I was watching some Blackadder and I thought he is one witty man and is henceforth very cool. I know this would probably knock my popularity down like what a Wrecking Ball does to a block of flats. (Was that witty? Probabaly shite I don't know I can't define it either, oh the tragedy). Anyway can anyone help me? I just realised, how could I call Blackadder witty without knowing what witty means? I just thought what he says is along the lines of wittiness. Anyway my fellow Escapists give me the key to the holy gate of the Witty so I can further my knowledge on the human psyche or mind or whatever it is you call it. Tar very much chuck!

While there is definatly inborn talent involved, also remember that professional Comedians and people on TV shows spend a lot of time working on their acts, and usually wind up following a script (even if it's one they designed) while working.

In a show like "Black Adder" remember it's not all ad-lib, the opening, the response, and the timing are all carefully planned. Your supposed to get the impression he's a witty guy, that's the point.

But also remember that being witty is not nessicarly a good thing in real life, simply being silly and a bit annoying is one thing, but nobody likes a smart alec. Part of the fun of TV shows with witty protaganists is that they wind up getting away with it, and that's part of the fantasy that sells the show.

Remember in real life you don't get a sudden scene transition, commercial break, or whatever else. Nor are people going to be half as dense as the targets in a show like that, heck most people watch the same kind of stuff at some point. Being a smart alec is a great way to offend customers, get fired, PO your boss, and everything else you don't want to. The few people who DO get away with stuff like that IRL and aren't performing are typically very rich and powerful and effectively untouchable. It doesn't matter who they offend for the most part, unless they somehow lose all their stuff/status (and it's a common comedy situation in movies and such for someone who was untouchable and a complete jerk about it, falling from their high perch and having to deal with a lot of the people they mistreated and/or thought were stupid targets).

 

[SuccessAndBiscuts]

What is with the tirade of "Be British" comments all of a sudden?

I know we can be funny but that's because there isn't much else to do on this island, and world domination is somewhat frowned upon these days...

 

[Spinozaad]

Read and observe.

Do not just observe comedians, because that might lead to you imitating comedians. Observe how conversations and debates are structured.