Near the end of the Meno, after Socrates' talk about sophists has sent Anytus off in a huff, Socrates remarks wryly to Meno that they run the risk of being “low” sorts (Φαυλοί, 96d5), having not been taught sufficiently by their respective teachers, Gorgias and Prodicus. He declares that only through seeking the best instruction can they avoid scornful laughter (ὡς ἡμᾶς ἔλαθεν καταγελάστως, 96e2). Plato often uses these terms (i.e., phaulos, katagelastos/geloios) to frame Socrates' interactions with sophists (actual or envisioned), which points to a purposeful appropriation of comic discourse around the depiction of professional speakers and their notorious critic. Indeed, this vocabulary appears to be central to delineating the genre. Aristotle famously defines comic mimesis as depicting “baser” sorts (Φαυλότεροι), noting that the “laughable” (τὸ γελοῖον) is an aspect of the shameful (τοῦ αἰσχροῦ) (Po. 1449a31–33). Socrates' interlocutors often feel shame at his questioning (e.g., Gorg. 494d3–4), while the philosopher himself may be shameless (e.g., ἀναισχυντεῖν, Tht. 196d3–6).

Although this would seem to be an odd way of framing philosophical argument, Plato's dialogues consistently portray Socrates as a humorous, irreverent, silenos figure who contends with polished, word-proud sophists, their followers, and by implication the demagogues who use their tactics.