The Australian Dictionary of Invisible Culture for Teachers
jocular deception/provocation
norm: when it is like this, it is good to do some things (see more)
Many people in Australia know that sometimes it can be like this:
Someone (e.g. Mason) says something about something to someone else (e.g. Austin).
Mason knows that it is not true.
When Mason says it to Austin, he thinks like this: I know that this is not true. I want Austin not to know it for a short time. If it is like this for a short time, I can feel something good because of it, like I can want to laugh. If other people know, they can feel something good because of it at the same time.
When Mason does this, he thinks like this about Austin: I know that Austin can feel something bad for a short time because of this. I don’t want not to do it because of this.
Note
Some phrases which exemplify this attitude are 'taking the piss' 'pulling someone's leg' 'messing with someone' or 'geeing someone up'."Sunnybank lost in the final again today.' 'What that's impossible they by far had the best team on paper.' 'I'm just geeing you up mate. Calm down. I'm pretty sure they won."
"Karen, Virgin have cancelled all flights to Canada for the month of May.' 'They better not have that's when I'm supposed to be flying there for Summer Camp.' 'Aww Karen, I'm just messing with you. You had better finish saving so you can pay for them soon though. They still might cancel them."
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