If you can't make it better, you can laugh at it.

Erma Bombeck (1927–1996) built her reputation as a syndicated newspaper columnist and bestselling author by turning the frustrations of everyday domestic life—childrearing, marriage, housework, and social expectations—into humane comedy. The line is commonly attributed to her as a compact statement of her comic philosophy: when circumstances are beyond one’s control or not readily fixable, humor becomes a coping strategy and a way to regain perspective. While the sentiment aligns closely with Bombeck’s public persona and recurring themes in her essays and talks, I cannot confidently place it in a specific dated column, book chapter, or recorded speech without a verifiable citation.

The quote proposes a practical hierarchy of responses to adversity: first, try to improve the situation; if improvement isn’t possible, choose laughter rather than despair. It frames humor not as denial but as a resilient, self-preserving act—an emotional tool that restores agency when external control is limited. In Bombeck’s comedic worldview, laughing at life’s messes (especially the ordinary, repetitive ones) punctures perfectionism and reduces shame, making hardship more bearable and sometimes even socially shareable. The line also implies an ethical restraint: laughter is positioned as a fallback after attempted repair, suggesting responsibility precedes irony.