About

No one knows exactly what prompted a marginally successful Manitoban furrier by the name of Terminal J. Laughington to break into the comedy business. Some say it was his name, which former branch manager Dan Reckles points out, “bears a striking resemblance to the word ‘laugh.’” Others say it was his funny mustache. Still others cite his wild ambition and ill-defined sense of self as possible instigators.

Well for whatever reason we here at Terminal Laughter are sure glad he did. Cause if it wasn’t for him, we wouldn’t be here today! That’s right, we’re his laugh babies!

As many a corporate pamphlet will recount, the very first Terminal Laughter “Laugh Nut” was published in 1904 on old-timey newsprint. Legend has it Terminal only had enough money to pay for 12 copies, so he borrowed a set of carrier pidgeons and sent them off to 12 of the top comedians at the time. Comedy greats such as Edward A. Kerfufflefeather, Goofy Father Paxton, Mad Cap Zaplan and The Great Boob!

The stunt paid off when Terminal’s uniquely aggressive brand of humor caught the eye of part-time comedian and oil tycoon Snubs McGoon. McGoon agreed to finance the journal (renamed “Jourmenal Laughter”) in exchange for a 65% cut of his jib, which he reportedly liked. The Jourmenal’s comedic sensibility centered around a single defining principle: “Laughter Through Coercion.” Laughter was commonly achieved through the use of direct commands (e.g. “You There! Laugh!”). Trickery was also employed (e.g. “I’ll pay you 10 dollars if you laugh right now”) and at times violent threats.

The shtick, while simple, struck a cord with Canadians put off by the turn-of-the-century decadence, and increasingly stringent anti-trust legislature. By 1907 Terminal and McGoon were regular household names, with “The Laugh Chaps” selling over 450 copies of their magazine per anum (quite a large number when adjusted for inflation).

But the success was to be short-lived. By 1909, changing social mores and an increasing general awareness of humor were beginning to alter the comedic landscape. People just couldn’t be coerced into laughing like they used to, and Terminal had to resort to increasingly extreme means to gain their attention/apporval.

“A joke is a joke is a joke is a joke!” Snubs McGoon famously told reporters after Terminal was arrested on 3 counts of “murdering mischief” on March 22, 1910, reportedly beating his victims to death with a tire iron when they refused to laugh after numerous threats. The next day McGoon folded the magazine and severed all ties with the comedy business. Terminal was summarily sentenced to death.

…and for 97 years we waited

…and waited

Until in 2007 Toronto area varnish distributor Ted Chucklewicz purchased the brand from McGoon’s great granddaughter (Snubs IV), mistaking the name for Terminal Lacquer. When Ted realized he had inadvertently gained control of one of the oldest and most violent comedy institutions in the country, he saw an opportunity.

Jokes sell. History sells. Controversy sells.

He hired 5 university-style graduates willing to work for free and set them to work generating search engine friendly, “comedy-themed” content. Together we transformed Terminal Laughter from a historical anecdote into a successful internet business now worth over $3.07! (estimated AdSense earnings)

It’s been one hell of a ride, but it’s all been worth it. I can vouch for that…I’m Ted Chucklewicz!

So go ahead, enjoy our site! Laugh! Now! Ha ha!