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Meaning of black humour in English:

black humour

Pronunciation /ˌblak ˈhjuːmə/

noun

(US black humor)

  • 1Medicine
    The humour black bile; an unnatural, disease-causing humour derived from or resembling this; now historical and rare. Later also (in extended use): a depressed, angry, or sullen mood.

  • 2Comedy, satire, etc., that presents tragic, distressing, or morbid situations in humorous terms; humour that is ironic, cynical, or dry; gallows humour.

Origin

Late Middle English; earliest use found in John Trevisa (c1342–?1402), translator. From black + humour. Compare atrabile, black bile, and the Latin and Greek parallels cited at those entries. Compare Italian (now hist.) umore nero black bile.