Meaning of 'That's classic!'

[NinaZara]

Can anybody explain to me what 'That`s classic' really mean?

For example, when somebody tells a joke and somesody says..'ha ha, that`s classic!'

I always assume that it means classic, literally and that the joke has been around for some time. But I also get the vibe of authenticity. Which is it?

[Conchita]

A classic joke could be a typical one, though the expression 'that's classic' in the context you gave rather means 'very funny':

classic
2 INFORMAL extremely or unusually funny, bad or annoying:
Then she fell over backwards into the flowerbed - it was absolutely classic!
That was classic! That van-driver signalled right, and then turned left.
See also classic (TYPICAL).

(Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary)

[NinaZara]

oh thanks Conchita.you`re very helpful ;)

so i guess when people say

that`s classic of him it also means that`s typical of him

[Alan]

Hi NinaZara,

Just to add to what Conchita has already said - 'classic' on its own often means: That's typical. That's perfect. That's just what you would expect.

Let me give you an example. You know someone who has a very bad sense of direction and always gets lost. Let's say this person arrives late, apologises for being late and explains they took the wrong turning. Your comment could be: Classic! And that's how it is used just as one word.

Alan
_________________
English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Present Simple

[NinaZara]

Thank you Alan.

I think I really get it now.