pleasantry

1 an act or utterance that is a customary show of good manners “how are you” is merely a social pleasantry Synonyms amenity, attention, courtesy, formality, gesture, civility, politenessRelated Words honors; ceremony, observance, rite, ritual; decorum, etiquette, form, manners, mores, proprieties; addresses, devoirs, greetings, regards, respects; favor, grace, kindliness, kindness; protocol, rules

2 something said or done to cause laughter his after-dinner speeches usually include the sort of gentle pleasantry that raises a chuckle Synonyms boff (or boffo), boffola, crack, drollery, funny, gag, giggle [chiefly British], jape, jest, josh, laugh, nifty, one-liner, joke, quip, rib, sally, waggery, wisecrack, witticism, yuk (or yuck also yak or yock) [slang]Related Words funning, joking, wisecracking; knee-slapper, panic [slang], riot, scream, thigh-slapper; antic, buffoonery, caper, leg-pull, monkeyshine(s), practical joke, prank, trick; burlesque, caricature, lampoon, mock, mockery, parody, put-on, riff; banter, kidding, persiflage, raillery, repartee; drollness, facetiousness, funniness, hilariousness, humorousness; comedy, humor, wit, wordplay