Summary: Could a sharp tongue have been a signal of biological fitness? A provocative new proposal by Ljiljana Progovac argues that human grammar did not evolve solely for survival needs — it also evolved to display quick wit. Progovac’s research suggests that the ability to combine words in clever, surprising, or humorous ways may have been sexually selected from the very beginnings of language, shaping the development of more complex grammatical systems.
The study highlights ancient verb-noun compounds (for example, killjoy or pickpocket), linguistic forms that often resonate more strongly in the brain than literal descriptive phrases. Progovac proposes that early humans who excelled at producing these pithy, memorable constructions were more attractive mates, accelerating an evolutionary feedback loop that favored linguistic creativity and grammatical complexity.
Key Facts
- Wittiness as a fitness signal: The theory frames wit as a fitness indicator—analogous to display traits like a peacock’s tail—signaling intelligence, creativity, social skill, and cognitive flexibility to potential partners.
- Ancient verb-noun compounds: Verb+noun compounds are viewed as linguistic fossils that survive across languages in forms such as killjoy and pickpocket. These constructions tend to be concise, emotionally vivid, sometimes coarse, and often culturally transient.
- Neural responses: Neuroimaging evidence cited in the research suggests these compact compounds elicit more immediate, vivid neural and emotional reactions compared with more analytic phrasings like “joy killer” or “pocket picker.”
- Evolutionary feedback: The proposal describes a plausible selection loop: witty individuals attracted more mates, their descendants inherited capacities for creative linguistic combinations, and this cumulative advantage promoted increasingly sophisticated grammar as a vehicle for wit.
Source: PNAS Nexus
Is wittiness a form of fitness?
Ljiljana Progovac examines whether quick-wittedness — the capacity to combine words in unexpected or humorous ways — has been favored by selection since the earliest stages of human language. She argues that once the rudiments of grammar permitted novel combinations of words, speakers immediately exploited that flexibility to create jokes, insults, and playful expressions. Because wit signals advanced cognitive processing and social competence, it likely improved mating prospects and social standing for those who used it effectively.
Progovac emphasizes that verb-noun compounds represent an early, compact grammatical strategy for producing highly expressive nouns. These forms can pack semantic and emotional potency into a single word, making them especially effective for humorous or derogatory speech. Neuroimaging work cited in the study indicates that such compounds can trigger stronger, more visceral responses in listeners than equivalent two-word phrases assembled in a more hierarchical, analytic grammar.
The central claim is that skilled use of such constructions would have conferred reproductive advantages. Descendants of witty individuals would inherit both genetic and culturally transmitted capacities for linguistic creativity, encouraging the rise of ever more elaborate grammatical structures used to showcase verbal agility.
Key Questions Answered:
A: In essence, yes. Progovac’s view is that as soon as humans could combine words, they used combinations for humor and insult. Because producing wit requires sophisticated cognitive abilities, those who excelled in quick verbal creativity would have been favored as mates, creating a selection pressure for more complex grammar.
A: The distinction lies in structural form. A compound like “killjoy” functions as a compact, unitary label that lands all at once, producing a strong mental image and affective response. By contrast, analytic phrases such as “joy killer” are processed more hierarchically and literally, which can dilute their punch in humorous or insulting contexts.
A: The proposal reframes “evolved” in terms of reproductive fitness: witty individuals may have been more successful in attracting mates and navigating social competition. Wittiness signals cognitive efficiency and an ability to handle novelty—traits that would have been advantageous in early human social environments.
Editorial Notes:
- This piece was edited by a Neuroscience News editor for clarity and context.
- The journal paper referenced was reviewed in full for accuracy.
- Additional explanatory context was provided by editorial staff to aid reader understanding.
About this linguistics and evolutionary neuroscience research news
Author: Ljiljana Progovac
Source: PNAS Nexus
Contact: Ljiljana Progovac – PNAS Nexus
Image: The image is credited to Neuroscience News
Original Research: Open access.
“Survival of the wittiest (not friendliest): The art and science behind human linguistic and cognitive evolution” by Ljiljana Progovac. PNAS Nexus
DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgag052
Abstract
Survival of the wittiest (not friendliest): The art and science behind human linguistic and cognitive evolution
Previous theoretical and experimental work has paved the way for interpreting aspects of human evolution as “survival of the wittiest,” where sexual selection favors linguistic creativity over mere friendliness. Progovac argues that human fitness correlates with linguistic eloquence—including humor—and that this artistic dimension of language must be included to fully explain certain evolutionary patterns.
Her central argument is that selection for quick-wittedness—the capacity to produce inventive, amusing, or cutting word combinations—played a role from the earliest stages of grammar. Wittiness allowed individuals to compete by outsmarting others while promoting social cohesion through verbal rather than physical contests. This balance helped shape cooperative, cognitively rich human societies.
The proposal relies on detailed linguistic reconstructions of early grammatical stages, identifying “living fossils” in modern languages (such as verb-noun compounds) that can be tested experimentally, including with neuroimaging, to evaluate how these constructions engage the brain and influence social dynamics.