Michael Herzfeld has argued in his study of Greek villagers that national identity emanates from what we are most embarrassed about - not from conventional sources of national pride. This is the first time that South African humour has been explored in this way. This book incorporates a wide range of opinion, from comedians, literary heavyweights, serious political commentators, satirists, sports writers to the kind of people generally not taken seriously, like the ANC Youth League and You readers. South Africans of all people need a good laugh. It is healthy both psychologically and physiologically to laugh at ourselves. At its core, this book is about democracy, or the democratic spirit - because one of the truest tests of democracy is the tolerance of invective and nastiness. So, while the book sets out to entertain, there is also a serious intent.