Gallows humor is humor about very unpleasant, serious, or painful circumstances. Any humor that treats serious matters, such as
death,
war,
disease, and
crime, in a light, silly or satirical fashion is considered gallows humor. Gallows humor has been described as a witticism in response to a hopeless situation. It arises from stressful, traumatic, or life-threatening situations, often in circumstances such that
death is perceived as impending and unavoidable.