Abstract:

Humor is a common phenomenon but complicated to be achieved and understood. Linguists conduct researches on linguistic humor from various perspectives: Semantics, Pragmatics, Social linguistics, Rhetoric, Psychological linguistics and Cognitive linguistics. The American sitcom The Big Bang Theory has drawn attraction from an increasing number of Chinese audiences. This paper will discuss its lines of the four main characters in terms of four rhetorical devices: irony, euphemism, pun, metaphor and analyze how they are used and how the humorous effect is achieved, hoping to help the readers to have a better understanding of the lines in The Big Bang Theory and appreciate this sitcom. Also with the hope to apply rhetorical devices in the future writings well.

Key words:  humor ; rhetorical devices; context; The Big Bang Theory

摘要：

幽默是一种普遍而又复杂的现象, 语言学家们从语义学，语用学，社会语言学，修辞学，心理语言学和认知语言学等不同角度分析幽默。美剧《生活大爆炸》在近几年越发受到中国观众的关注。本文通过分析其台词，从双关、隐喻、夸张、反讽等修辞形式和语境的角度探讨这些台词是如何取得幽默效果，旨在帮助读者更好地了解这些台词，更好的欣赏这部情景剧。以及能更好地将修辞手段运用到以后的写作中。

关键词：幽默；修辞手段；语境；生活大爆炸

1. Introduction
1.1 Definition of Humor
   What is humor ? The term “humor” has its origin in Latin, meaning fluid or moisture. Humor can virtually be seen everywhere and in every accessible form : jokes, cartoons, comedies, anecdotes, talk shows, advertisements via the media of television shows, radios, magazines, internet, newspapers, billboards on the streets, and many others. It is indeed a common but complex phenomenon, a central part of all cultures, languages, idiolects, and most registers of speech. And gradually, the term “ humor ” is narrowed down to refer to a specific mood (Liu Huixia 2006).
Humor is the lubricant of life, it contains implied meaning in a funny and wisdom situation, people accept others’ viewpoint unconsciously while laughing. So humor has its social functions ,it makes people laugh and smile, helps people to relax.