waggery
Humorous fooling around
Waggery is playful humor or mischievous joking—the behavior of a wag.
The word has an old-fashioned, literary quality: His waggery delighted the children but annoyed the adults.
It suggests lighthearted teasing rather than mean-spirited wit.
Deliberate deception for effect
- japeMocking trick or quip
- spoofComic exaggerated imitation
- gagMouth restraint or jest
- stuntDangerous feat for spectacle
caper · antic · practical joke · trick · lark · escapade · tomfoolery · high jinks
Playful mischievous quality
- rogueryDishonest or mischievous conduct
- naughtinessMinor improper conduct
- devilryWicked or mischievous conduct
- shenanigansMischievous or deceitful behavior
troublemaking · prankishness · rascality · misbehavior · roguishness · monkey business · deviltry · knavery
Quick, clever conversation
- quipBrief, clever remark
- jestHumorous remark or act
- teasingPlayful, mild ridicule
- sallySudden outward attack
raillery · retort · comeback · badinage · chaff · pleasantry · joshing · wisecrack
Mental quickness and skill
- drolleryWhimsical, understated humor
- facetiousnessHumorous levity, often inappropriate
- satireMockery exposing vice
- ironyMeaning opposite to words
puns · aphorism · epigram · innuendo · double entendre · whimsy · archness · jocularity
Work meant to amuse
- buffooneryLudicrous or silly conduct
- farceAbsurd, laughable situation
- slapstickExaggerated physical humor
- absurdityWildly illogical quality
clowning · foolery · nonsense · zaniness · silliness · ludicrousness · ridiculousness · comicality
Cheerful liveliness
- gaietyLively, exuberant cheerfulness
- levityLack of seriousness
- hilarityExtreme amusement, often shared
- jovialityHearty, convivial cheerfulness
glee · cheerfulness · lightheartedness · frolic · revelry · mirth · festivity · high spirits
hoax
Deliberate deception for effect
stunt · caper · antic · practical joke · trick · lark · escapade · tomfoolery · high jinks · horseplay
impishness
Playful mischievous quality
- rogueryDishonest or mischievous conduct
- naughtinessMinor improper conduct
- devilryWicked or mischievous conduct
shenanigans · troublemaking · prankishness · rascality · misbehavior · roguishness · monkey business · deviltry · knavery · puckishness
repartee
Quick, clever conversation
sally · raillery · retort · comeback · badinage · chaff · pleasantry · joshing · wisecrack · wordplay
cleverness
Mental quickness and skill
- drolleryWhimsical, understated humor
- facetiousnessHumorous levity, often inappropriate
- satireMockery exposing vice
irony · puns · aphorism · epigram · innuendo · double entendre · whimsy · archness · jocularity · witticism
comedy
Work meant to amuse
- buffooneryLudicrous or silly conduct
- farceAbsurd, laughable situation
- slapstickExaggerated physical humor
absurdity · clowning · foolery · nonsense · zaniness · silliness · ludicrousness · ridiculousness · comicality · funniness
jollity
Cheerful liveliness
- gaietyLively, exuberant cheerfulness
- levityLack of seriousness
- hilarityExtreme amusement, often shared
joviality · glee · cheerfulness · lightheartedness · frolic · revelry · mirth · festivity · high spirits · exuberance
waggeryseriousness
Earnest, weighty demeanor
solemnity · gravity · gravitas · solemnness · earnestness
waggerymalice
Intent to cause harm
cruelty · spite · malevolence · viciousness · meanness
- wagged the dogCreated distraction from scandal