The head of parliament asked President Mubarak to prepare a farewell speech for the people of Egypt. The president replied: “Why? Where are they going?”

This is just one of the many jokes that circulated in the Egyptian streets during the uprising of 2011. That rebellion has even been called the “Laughing Revolution” (al-Thawra al-Dahika) because of the mocking language used by demonstrators in their slogans, songs, cartoons, and banners.

The aforementioned joke refers not only to Hosni Mubarak’s perceived denseness, or his alienation from the concerns of ordinary people, but also to his remarkable ability to cling onto power, even in the face of mass popular rejection of his rule. During the eighteen days of demonstrations and occupations from January 25, 2011, protesters chanted variations on the theme of “Just leave already!” (erhal ba), in evident exasperation with Mubarak’s obstinacy.