rib-ticklingadj.
/ˈrɪbˌtɪkl̩ɪŋ/, /ˈrɪbˌtɪklɪŋ/, U.S. /ˈrɪbˌtɪk(ə)lɪŋ/ That tickles the ribs; amusing. Cf. to tickle (a person's) ribs at rib n.1 Phrases 2.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pleasure > laughter > causing laughter > [adjective] > comical
merryc1390
pleasant1553
comical1575
mowsome1596
zany1616
burlesque1656
humoursome1656
farce-like1681
foolish1691
farcical1715
amusive1727
farciful1731
funny1739
farcic1763
quizzical1785
quizzy1785
quizzish1792
rib-tickling1809
smileable1830
cocasse1868
priceless1907
skit1914
funny-ha-ha1916
gas1955
1809 Examiner 12 Feb. 2 It [sc. a play] equalled the liveliest style of Lewis..in the quip..and the rib-tickling inuendo of finger [perh. read finger of innuendo].
1852 South-western Monthly June 359/2 The lovers of Irish wit and humor, rich, racy, and sparkling, here imbibe ‘rib tickling’ draughts.
1871 O. Logan Mimic World xxxix. 564 There was something very rib-tickling, as it seemed, in hearing a blonde-haired woman sing, ‘Wokking in the Pawk!’
1922 Life 18 May 22/2 ‘Reported Missing’ moves at a terrific rate of speed, and is full of rib-tickling situations.
1977 It June 26/4 Your old pal has written this rib-tickling tale specially for jubilee freaks all.
2002 Time Out N.Y. 25 Apr. 93/4 A vast cast of otherwise capable actors..fumbling through physical gags that seem more perplexing than rib-tickling.
Derivatives
ˈrib-ˌticklingly adv.
ΚΠ
1949 Rhinelander (Wisconsin) Daily News 4 Oct. 2/8 Old and done many times, this story is rib ticklingly funny.
2006 Newcastle (New S. Wales) Herald (Nexis) 7 Nov. 53 A show that ribticklingly recreates the people and situations of the television original.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2010; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.1809