Definitions: (1) given to jesting; habitually jolly; merry; (2) containing jokes; sportive; playful; witty
Poetry:
When the green woods laugh with the voice of joy
And the dimpling stream runs laughing by
When the air does laugh with our merry wit
And the green hill laughs with the noise of it.
— William Blake (1757-1827) English Poet
Observation: A joke that makes fun of or belittles someone is no joke.
Comment: It takes some discretion and tact to know when to interject some jocularity into a serious situation. It could be the best thing to break the tension and get people seeing things in perspective again, or it could be the most tasteless thing to do. It’s all in the timing, and reading the situation accurately.