side-splittern.
/ˈsʌɪdˌsplɪtə/, U.S. /ˈsaɪdˌsplɪdər/ Something which or (occasionally) someone who provokes convulsive fits of laughter; a very funny joke, story, etc. Cf. side-splitting adj.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pleasure > laughter > causing laughter > [noun] > jest or pleasantry > a jest or joke
gameOE
jape1377
bourda1387
mirthc1390
mowa1393
chapec1400
skauncec1440
sport?1449
popc1540
flirt1549
jest1551
merriment1576
shifta1577
facetiae1577
gig1590
pleasantry1594
lepidity1647
rallery1653
drollery1654
wit-crack1662
joco1663
pleasance1668
joke1670
jocunditya1734
quizzification1801
funniment1826
side-splitter1834
funniness1838
quizzery1841
jocularity1846
rib-tickler1855
jocosity1859
humorism1860
gag1863
gas1914
nifty1918
mirthquaker1921
rib1929
boffo1934
giggle1936
the mind > emotion > pleasure > laughter > causing laughter > [noun] > jest or pleasantry > a jest or joke > uproariously funny
side-splitter1834
gut-buster1929
boff1945
boffola1946
thigh-slapper1965
knee-slapper1966
1834 N.-Y Mirror 4 Jan. 216/2 A down-astern critter,—a real side-splitter, Who makes the gals titter, till corset-strings snap!
1841 Satirist 10 Jan. 11/3 This is..the genuine mirth-provoker and side-splitter of the season.
1864 Harper's Mag. Feb. 422/1 I send you three samples [of letters].., hoping thereby to reciprocate some of your side-splitters.
1903 A. M. Binstead Pitcher in Paradise v. 133 As regards poetry I have already had a sidesplitter entitled ‘Don't chalk your cue before a lady’ accepted by Mr Arthur Roberts.
1984 Economist 24 Nov. 116/2 In its wry, tongue-in-cheek manner, Morita's film is a side-splitter.
2008 T. Chong Cheech & Chong vi. 59 Redd reeled off a series of side-splitters that earned him a standing ovation at the end of his act.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2016; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1834