I returned vol. 3 of Not Only the Best of the Larry Sanders Show to my public library but forgot to include the DVD. I got a phone call about it. I returned with the DVD, which I had put in a paper envelope.
Here it is, I said. As I was leaving, the librarian asked if I wanted my envelope back. “In case this happens again,” she said. Everyone laughed.
Type of joke: veiled not-serious deprecation.
Another phrase for “veiled not-serious deprecation” through humor is affectionate teasing. Teasing, when it is friendly, serves to remind the teased of their characterological deficiencies without overtly putting them down. In Seth’s example it was a nicer way of reminding him to try to return his DVDs with the DVD enclosed.
I am a life-long unregenerate slob and have gotten a lot of teasing for it. I’d much rather be teased in a playful way then have someone overtly moralize at me or seriously put me down for it. Friendly teasing is nice.
Of course there is cruel, hostile teasing which is another matter…