Sometimes, you need self-deprecating insults to deliver a menacing final blow. It’s similar to a boxing match when a fighter takes one to the chin to land a counter-knockout punch to seal the deal. 

The list you’re about to read through shows exactly that: people taking slight jabs at themselves to ultimately make a more impactful comeback to end the conversation. A lot of these hilarious exchanges are courtesy of the Kamikaze By Words subreddit, showing the sharp wit that many people possess.

#1 Cruel But Not Unusual Punishment

Image credits: @JamesBlunt

#2 Time To Join Art School

Image credits: a07121994

#3 Big Damage

Image credits: Yeetforfeet0

#4 Take That Dad

Image credits: [deleted]

#5 Nft Bros

Image credits: @Explosm

Self-deprecating humor has brought success to many comedians. Bored Panda spoke to comic Ariane Sherine in a previous piece. For her, such light put-downs of oneself are acceptable if you draw the line between comedy and reality.

It’s a strategy that many successful comedians today utilize. Some of these famous names include Louis C.K., Bill Burr, John Mulaney, Jim Norton, Marc Maron, and Mark Normand, to name a few.

#6 Shrek Kinda Cute Tho…

Image credits: @memechaotic

#7 Self Burn

Image credits: [deleted]

#8 Some Funny Texts

Image credits: eaRthWormSall

#9 Hope Y’all Are Enjoying Those Gas Prices ??

Image credits: dmdim

Mark Normand has been doing stand-up since 2006. He’s achieved relative success with appearances on Conan, The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, and the Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon. Here’s one of his stand-up bits where he talked about how “evil” his brain is. 

“My brain is evil. It attacks me. It’s like a bully. I’ll be at a party, hanging out, and everybody’s having a good time, talking. My brain’s like, ‘Hey, you weirdo, you’re being too quiet. Everybody’s wondering why you’re such a quiet weirdo. Come on. Get in there, say something, you lunatic. 

“‘Come on, you freak. Jump in, you psycho. Come on, get in there.’ Then you finally say something, and your brain goes, ‘Whoo… that’s what you picked?’”

#10 That's As "Fitting" As It Gets

Image credits: Karosso

#11 Well I Mean Alright Fine I Guess

Image credits: Doktor_Vem

#12 Battle Of The (Fictional) Girlfriends

Image credits: faraway_88

#13 Doppelgänger

Image credits: M3L7E

Chicago-based comedian John Mulaney has a deep, impressive résumé, which includes two Primetime Emmy Awards and a successful Netflix special. However, he rose to prominence as a Saturday Night Live cast member. Here’s his self-deprecating stand-up bit about looking older. 

“Have you ever seen America’s Most Wanted when they age a photo of someone? Just take my kindergarten photo, yellow the teeth, put bags under the eyes, and be like, ‘This is what he would look like now.’”

#14 X Marks The Spot

Image credits: ExpertAccident

#15 F**k These Tires Bro

Image credits: I-lik-cak

#16 Took Down His Team With Himself

Image credits: KrisNo04

Experts consider self-deprecating humor as a healthy form of expression. A 2018 study found an association between having the ability to laugh at oneself and higher anger control. These people are likewise believed to be more capable of reducing outbursts toward others. 

From a layman’s point of view, self-deprecation isn’t just a sign of humility. Many see it as a form of high emotional intelligence, and the ability to handle an awkward situation by taking the heat is a personality trait that usually makes a person likable.

#17 No B**ches?

Image credits: throwaway738182994

#18 Discord Is A Brutal Place

Image credits: FireFlyer63_

#19 Martyrdom

Image credits: Ya_Boi_Skinny_Cox

#20 Dropping The Bomb On Your Whole Readership

Image credits: Futurism

#21 Unlucky Day For Gobblin'

Image credits: 4_Alice_4

But the flip side shows how self-deprecating humor could be more detrimental than beneficial. York University student Danielle Russell wrote an essay entitled “Self-deprecatory Humour and the Female Comic: Self-destruction or Comedic Construction?” where she pointed out how it almost panders to the audience. 

“Self-deprecation can be construed as a form of self-censorship. Satire is directed towards the self rather than confronting external targets. In a sense, it is a form of accommodation – accommodating the perceptions of others.”

#22 We Win These

Image credits: ItsPlaguei

#23 The Men Got Killed Twice

Image credits: ElsonDaSushiChef

#24 Oh Yeah. Burn Reddit Burn

Image credits: AnilKapur

Experts draw the line between modesty and self-deprecation in terms of mental health. Confidence coach Jo Emerson spoke to Metro about the differences and how the latter affects both people in conversation. 

“True modesty leaves the receiver feeling peaceful, whereas self-deprecation tends to leave the receiver feeling burdened to prop up the self-deprecator.”

#25 A Brutal Stabbing

Image credits: BitterExChristian

#26 Op Updating His Kids Crypto Adventure

Image credits: Smokedupdetroit

#27 Apple Didn’t Fall Far From The Ugly Tree

Image credits: CMDR_Chris_Lane

For some people, self-deprecation comes naturally. Often, they fail to notice when they are doing it. For Harley Therapy founder and clinical director Dr. Sheri Jacobson, it could be a sign of a deeper emotional issue. 

“If you get told that you often self-deprecate, and that seems surprising to you, then it is more likely a case of low self-esteem,” she said, pointing out that having a deflated concept of oneself can lead to a deep, “serious” depression.

#28 He Does Have A Point

Image credits: The_Flying_Doggo

#29 Kamikaze With Onlyfans

Image credits: ThenChoice2

#30 "Yeah... What Kind Of Idiot Would Work At A Job Like *that*?"

Image credits: happyfoam

#31 At Least He Is Not That Dumb

Image credits: Elliot_Mirage_Witt

#32 Ijn Approves

Image credits: WayshawndeRullo

#33 Oooo That Hurts

Image credits: ThenChoice2

But does this mean that you should never use self-deprecating humor? Not necessarily. Like in all things, context matters. A good example pointed out by Harvard Business Review was a statement from John F. Kennedy in 1958, two years before he was elected president. 

At the time, JFK took flak from critics who claimed that his wealthy father, Joseph P. Kennedy, would buy votes and swing the election in their favor. The younger Kennedy had this to say in response: 

“I just received the following wire from my generous daddy: ‘Dear Jack, don’t buy a single vote more than is necessary. I’ll be damned if I’m going to pay for a landslide.’”

#34 From A Discord Server

Image credits: dancho_razboinika

#35 Can't Argue Against That

Image credits: Mauripeke25