Word of the Day
derisive
Definition: (adjective) Abusing vocally; expressing contempt or ridicule.
Synonyms: gibelike, jeering, mocking, taunting
Usage: Dirk Stroeve was one of those persons whom…you cannot think of without derisive laughter or an embarrassed shrug of the shoulders.

You had clearly chosen to promote your own career in the local press, looking for a model to paint. Some of the statements contained in your invitation for opening Dutch Flowers Exhibition were both untrue and gratuitously derisive, implying that this alone may be considered abusive. Even though admission fee is six pence only.

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Sas? Nic. Sassnitz. Rug, ja? Rugen. Telemark in Harzgerode.

The words from the French root rire (laugh) - risible, deride, derisive, ridicule, ridiculous
are parallel to the Germanic root - laugh, laughter, laughable.
But interesting that the French-derived words all seem to be cruel, whereas 'to laugh/laughter' is normally a positive thing.
'Laughable' can be cruel, although I think not a strong as 'risible'.

Rire itself is positive in French, but all its English derivatives are nasty.
Social history expressed in language?