Laughter is the best medicine.
Laughter is the best medicine.
Meaning in plain English
The saying makes laughter the best medicine. It presents humour as a possible source of comfort through a remedy image.
Example
A friend welcomes humour when it is wanted while taking the person’s actual needs seriously.
Deeper explanation and when to use it
The superlative is rhetorical, not a treatment comparison. A responsible explanation permits enjoyment without requiring a distressed person to laugh or replacing needed care. The supplied feel-good gloss does not establish a universal response or clinical effect.
When to use it
Use it to discuss welcome comfort without a medical prescription.
Keep in mind
No treatment effect, universal mood improvement or reason to avoid care is established.
Edsverb editorial interpretation · agent reviewed · 2026-10-05. This explains the saying; it does not establish its historical origin.
- Source
- Contributor-provided proverb reference
Supplied reference A; unit 771; PDF page 110
Reuse and collection notes ↗ - Attribution confidence
- traditional · supplied collection
Preserved as printed; independently unverified. - Historical coordinate
- Undated
No reliable date supplied by the collection. - Rights & edition
- Contributor-confirmed reuse permission
Translations and rights may differ elsewhere.
Provenance and licences ↗