gallows humor

American  

noun

1. humor that treats serious, frightening, or painful subject matter in a light or satirical way.

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Etymology

Origin of gallows humor

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

Gallows humor; the fear showed in her voice.

From Salon

For local establishments, the newly offered specials are part gallows humor, part business gamble.

From The Wall Street Journal

Newsrooms being breeding grounds for gallows humor, most also understand that futility is a terrific comedy catalyst.

From Salon

These songs tap into the bottomless well that Mexicans have for gallows humor.

From Los Angeles Times

“I meant it as a bit of gallows humor, but he answered by essentially saying, Actually, sort of,” Gluck, a journalist, writes in his forthcoming memoir, An Exercise in Uncertainty.

From Slate