Mayjl  +  291573 Fri, 10 Nov 06 07:40 PM Is there any specific word used to describe "not know whether to cry or to laugh" ?  Thank you!  : ) Mayjl Joined on Mon, Nov 6 2006 Taiwan New Member 17

	Widget  +  291587 Fri, 10 Nov 06 09:00 PM I don't now of one specific word that would be suitable.  There is one slang word, 'gobsmacked', but it doesn't really mean 'not knowing whether to laugh or cry'; it just means 'shocked'.  This is an interesting question, and I hope that someone will have some other ideas. Widget Joined on Tue, Nov 7 2006 New Zealand Junior Member 71

	Clive  +  291930 Sat, 11 Nov 06 07:15 PM Hi, Possibly bemused. It tends to stress the 'puzzled' aspect of the feeling. Clive Clive Joined on Thu, Oct 28 2004 Canada Veteran Member 29,583 El tango argentino es un pensamiento triste que se puede bailar (The tango argentino is a sad thought which can be danced) Enrique Santos Discépolo

	nona the brit  +  292121 Sun, 12 Nov 06 11:42 AM I don't think there is one word specifically with that meaning. You'll hear people say "I didn't know whether to laugh or cry!" nona the brit Joined on Wed, Sep 22 2004 England Veteran Member 11,713 The name says it all.

	Grammar Geek  +  292323 Sun, 12 Nov 06 09:53 PM In fact, I used the word bemused today for that situation. My two "male" hamsters just had babies. On the one hand, it's funny. On the other... what do I do with them?? Grammar Geek Joined on Tue, Jan 10 2006 Veteran Member 19,652 Barbara, who answers in American English. My housekeeping skills attest to the truth of the second law of thermodynamics: Left to themselves, things get more and more random!

	Clive  +  292336 Sun, 12 Nov 06 11:06 PM You could make a 'ham' sandwich, perhaps? Clive Clive

	Grammar Geek  +  292355 Mon, 13 Nov 06 12:41 AM Okay, but you have to be the one to tell my daughters what happened to them, okay? *still bemused* Grammar Geek