The correct spelling for the word "recorded laughters" is actually "recorded laughter". The confusion may arise from the fact that "laughter" can be countable or uncountable. When it is countable, we use "laugh" instead of "laughter," and add an "s" to make it plural. However, in this case "recorded" is modifying "laughter" as an uncountable noun, which explains the singular form. The IPA transcription for "recorded laughter" is /rɪˈkɔːrdɪd ˈlɑːftə/.
Recorded laughters refer to pre-recorded audio clips or tracks of people laughing. These clips are typically used in media productions, such as sitcoms, movies, TV shows, or radio programs, to create a sense of humor or to enhance comedic effect. The purpose of recorded laughters is to simulate the presence of a live audience reaction in situations where a genuine audience response may be absent.
The use of recorded laughters can be traced back to the early days of radio and television, when live performances in front of a studio audience were common. However, as the medium evolved and pre-recorded shows became more prevalent, the need arose to replicate the comedic atmosphere of live performances. Recorded laughters filled this gap by providing a consistent and controlled laugh track that could be integrated into the program during post-production.
These laugh tracks are typically compiled from recordings of various audiences laughing at different times, ensuring a diverse range of laughs that match the intended tone and humor of the content. They can range from subtle chuckles to uproarious guffaws, and are carefully chosen and timed to align with comedic moments in the script.
Despite being criticized by some as manipulative or artificial, recorded laughters have become a widely accepted and recognizable element of comedic entertainment. They help set the comedic timing, create a sense of shared laughter for the viewers, and signal moments of humor.
The etymology of the phrase "recorded laughters" can be broken down as follows:
1. Recorded: The word "recorded" is the past participle of the verb "record", which comes from the Old French word "recorder" meaning "to get by heart or memory" or "to relate or repeat", derived from the Latin word "recordari" meaning "to remember" or "call to mind".
2. Laughters: The word "laughters" is the plural form of the noun "laughter", which comes from the Middle English word "laughtre", derived from the Old English word "hleahtor" meaning "loud, laughter, mirth, joy", ultimately originating from the Proto-Germanic word "*hlahtraz".
So, "recorded laughters" refers to the act of capturing or preserving instances of laughter using a recording device.