Lampoon
/ˌlæmˈpuːn/
nounverbC2
Definition
To lampoon means to make fun of a person, group, or idea by using humor, jokes, or satire (a way to show faults in a funny but sharp way). It can be a noun (the joke or story itself) or a verb (the action of making that joke). People often use lampoon to criticize leaders, politicians, or public figures by showing their mistakes or bad behavior in an exaggerated, funny way.
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See It in Action
Noun: A story, poem, or picture that humorously criticizes someone or something
- •The magazine published a lampoon of the mayor’s new policy.
- •The cartoon was a lampoon of the president’s speech.
- •His book is a lampoon of modern politics.
Verb: To make fun of someone or something by writing or drawing in a funny but critical way
- •The comedian lampooned the celebrity’s strange behavior.
- •The newspaper lampooned the government’s decision.
- •The show lampoons famous people every week.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "lampoon" like "joke," but a joke that is sharper and meant to show someone's mistakes clearly.
- ✓Picture a cartoon drawing that makes a famous person look silly by changing their face or actions in a funny way.
- ✓It's the feeling when you laugh at a clever joke that also makes you think about something serious or wrong.
- ✓Sounds like "LAMP-oon" → Imagine a lamp shining a bright light on someone's funny mistake to show it clearly.
- ✓In stories or TV shows, lampooning is like making fun of a king or president by showing them doing silly things.
- ✓NOT like "praise" (say good things), lampoon is about showing faults or problems.
- ✓NOT like "simple joke" (just for fun), lampoon has a purpose to criticize or make people think.
- ✓NOT like "insult" (mean or hurtful without humor), lampoon uses humor to soften criticism but still points out problems.
Try Other Words
- •Satirize: to use humor to criticize (Use when you want to say the criticism is clever and often serious)
- •Mock: to make fun of someone in a rude or funny way (Use when the humor is more direct and sometimes less polite)
- •Parody: a funny copy of something to make it look silly (Use when the humor copies style or form to show faults)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: (No clear prefix or suffix; the word is borrowed as a whole)
- •Etymology: From French "lampoon" meaning a satirical piece, originally from Italian "lampone" meaning a kind of satire or lampoon
- •Historical development: First used in English in the 17th century to mean a written attack or satire; over time became used for both written and visual humor that criticizes
- •Modern usage: Used to describe strong, humorous criticism in writing, cartoons, TV, and performances, especially about politics or public figures
Reflect & Connect
•How can lampooning help people understand serious problems in a fun and interesting way?
•Can lampooning ever be harmful, or is it always a good way to show mistakes? Why?
Fill in the blanks
1.The comedian lampooned the politician’s speech because it was full of ___ ideas and mistakes.
2.When a magazine publishes a lampoon, it usually wants to ___ the subject by making it look silly.
3.Lampoon is different from a simple joke because it has a ___ purpose to criticize or show faults.
4.The cartoon lampooned the celebrity by ___ their actions in a funny but exaggerated way.
5.People often lampoon leaders to make others ___ about their decisions or behavior.
6.Unlike insults, lampoon uses ___ to make criticism easier to accept.
7.When a TV show lampoons a famous person, it often uses ___ and exaggeration to be funny.