Question: why do we laugh?

Nicola Ibberson answered on 18 Jun 2012:

Not sure, I guess it’s the human way of expressing amusement! It’s interesting that it’s one of those things that has the same meaning across all cultures and languages – like smiling and ‘ssshhhh-ing’. Part of the universal language.

According to ‘How Stuff Works’, laughing indicates a relaxed, comfortable environment and strengthens human bonds. There is an actual word for the study of laughter too – gelotology!