About this quote

Rowling uses a sharp, absurd image to relieve a tense moment and keep the mood human. The joke lets someone admit fear or grief without turning the room solemn. It makes you notice how small, even silly, offers can mean a lot when people matter to each other. Ask yourself when a laugh helped you say what you couldn't say plainly.

When to use it

• At the end of a tense work farewell I laughed and said that line to cut the stiffness, and suddenly everyone stopped pretending everything was fine.
• When my friend was bawling after a breakup, I used the line and it made her smile long enough to tell me the real story.
• In the hospital waiting room after a bad test result, I muttered it to my partner and the stupid joke kept us from falling apart.
• While helping my parents clear out their old house, I joked that the buyer could keep the toilet — it made the whole moving day lighter.