A Brief History of Wit Privilege

The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer featured a great deal of wit. Indeed, wit was one of the key elements in each of the tales.

In Othello, William Shakespeare wrote, “They laugh that win.” Wit and winning have always worked hand-in-hand.

Ben Franklin, one of the most beloved figures in United States’ history, had a superb sense of humor. He used it to spread his ideology through his bestseller Poor Richard’s Almanac. To this day, people who have never even read the book quote his one-liners from it. For example:

• “A stitch in time saves nine.”


• “A friend in need is a friend indeed.”


• “Three may keep a secret, if two of them are dead.”

Mark Twain, America’s greatest satirist, once wrote, “Against the assault of laughter, nothing can stand.” A good joke can be used to win arguments and change minds. Witty people have always had an advantage in communicating their ideas. When you can tell jokes and stories in an entertaining way, people listen.

Wit is frequently used to market wares and services. The Super Bowl is one of the most watched shows on TV every year. Many watch it solely for the entertainment value in the commercials. There are actually television shows about the commercials. Humor is invariably the key to success in Super Bowl commercials.

Wit privilege has been used throughout the history of the United States to win elections, wage war, and exploit the masses.

#witprivilege #witsupremacist