Humor that uses offensiveness as part of the appeal and is based around offensive (or taboo) subjects. Edgy humor can take many varieties and forms. An example is the classic gay jokes and rape jokes that were a huge part of gaming culture in the 2000s.
An important and common element in edgy humor is the jokes are not normally enjoyed in a literal way. Usually offensive subject matter is used for an ironic effect or some other sort of psychological effect. For instance, a person may make racist jokes due to humor in the ridiculousness of what is being said and the
stupidity of
racist stereotypes. Certain
slang that was common on the early
internet (e.g. "fag,
retarded") may be regarded as edgy humor, because these terms were used in a figurative and sarcastic tone, rather than being meant or believed literally.
Because offensive jokes have the potential to be misunderstood and the people offended have a desire to demonize said jokes, edgy humor is normally taken out of context nowadays to just
mean "person using jokes to push
bad beliefs or prejudices". Edgy humor has had its meaning changed by some as people wish to entirely discount the idea that people can like offensive subjects ironically as humor. Due to edgy humor being misconstrued and people's
fear of being stereotyped as a result of them, edgy jokes of all kinds have slowly faded into obscurity in the recent era of the
internet, but there is still a subculture that engages in said jokes.
Social Justice Warrior: "Edgy humor is a dog whistle for people who want to push
racist beliefs"
Guy who likes edgy humor: "No, edgy humor is ironic... not all people who make racist jokes are actually
racist"
