John Iekel: Humorous Tax Oxymoron

Posted by admin on Sunday, April 10, 2011

John F. Iekel Money Quotation saying finding anyting funny about taxes is difficult when you are paying them, but seems only humorous in hindsight. John F. Iekel said:
 

 

“The term ‘tax humor’ is no doubt an oxymoron to many people; to the more cynical, it is an apt description of the entire tax code” — John F. Iekel

 

 

John F. Iekel seems to be making an observation about how the tax code is often viewed. The term “tax humor” combines something unfunny (taxes) with something meant to provoke laughter (humor) – which for many people creates an “oxymoron” or contradictory term.

However, for those with a more critical or skeptical outlook (“the more cynical”), describing the entire tax system as “tax humor” is an accurate way to portray how convoluted, complex and sometimes nonsensical the full tax code can seem.

In essence, Iekel is acknowledging that while taxes are rarely a laughing matter, the very concept of “tax humor” resonates with individuals who see the tax system itself as something perplexing or even absurd.