Why laughter is the best medicine - 6 Minute English

Laughter can be serious business. There’s evidence that people who laugh recover more quickly from illness. Neil and Sam share a silly joke as they talk about the topic and teach you related vocabulary.

This week's question
There’s a scientific field of study into laughter and its effects on the human body. What is this study called?
a) gigglology
b) gelotology
c) guffology
Listen to the programme to find out the answer.

Vocabulary
rib cage
structure in the human chest made of bones called ribs which protects your lungs and heart

primitive
relating to the simple, natural way humans lived in their early stages of development, before money, machines or writing were invented

giggle
a quiet, childlike but uncontrolled way of laughing

guffaw
laugh out loud, often at something stupid or rude someone has said

mammals
animals, including humans, dogs and whales, which give birth to live young, rather than laying eggs, and who feed their young with milk

juvenile
young animal which is not fully grown

[Cover: Getty Images]

You can download the audio and the transcript here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2022/ep-220310

More 6 Minute English episodes:
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https://youtu.be/NODkUzmamP8

Personalised diets
https://youtu.be/dJZ9CSbGueU

How green is nuclear energy?
https://youtu.be/naB_3XYRtew

Why we forget the things we learn
https://youtu.be/1iHeeMlOsyc

Should fast food sponsor sport?
https://youtu.be/BvNNuSz-EFw

#learnenglish #laughter #funny #humour