Ridiculum

Ridiculum is a term used in rhetoric, literature, and online culture to denote content that is intentionally or perceived as ridiculous. It is not a formal technical term in most disciplines, but it appears in commentary as a descriptive label for humor or triviality.

Etymology: The word derives from Latin ridiculum, from ridere “to laugh,” with the diminutive suffix -culum. In Latin, ridiculum referred to something laughable; in English and other languages it has been adopted to signal playfully unserious or preposterous qualities.

Uses in criticism and arts: In literary criticism, ridiculum can describe a mode of humor built on incongruity, exaggeration, or buffoonery. It may serve as a rhetorical device to undercut seriousness or to invite spectator amusement. Some scholars distinguish it from the more highbrow concept of the sublime or the formal term absurdam.

Cultural and digital usage: In contemporary online culture, ridiculum appears as a playful label or meme category for memes, posts, or media that embrace silliness or spoof grandeur. In speculative fiction or games, ridiculum can be used as a fictional concept, such as a creature or phenomenon associated with triviality or mischief, typically in a lighthearted or parodic setting.

See also: Related topics include ridiculous, ridicule, satire, and humor theory.