gelotologist

English

Etymology

From Latin zelus (“laughter”).

Noun

gelotologist (plural gelotologists)

1. A person who studies humour and laughter
   • 1951, Albert Rapp, The origins of wit and humor, Dutton:

     However there are moral ramifications upon which a mere gelotologist, or student of laughter, would not be prepared to pass judgment.

   • 1994 Paul M. Insel, Core concepts in health, Mayfield Pub. Co., p31

     Fry, who calls himself a gelotologist (from the Greek root gelos, meaning laughter), says laughter defuses anger, lifts depression, increases alertness, enhances learning, promotes creativity and cooperation, fosters mental health […]

   • 2003, Alan Schlines, Stop Arthritis: How I Defeated It Naturally, Virtualbookworm Publishing, page 123:

     A Stanford University professor and well-known Gelotologist has written that, "Besides increasing heart rate and hormone production, laughter moves extra nutrients and oxygen into your body's tissues."