This initial paper illuminates some issues relevant to the study of humorous intent/intention in interaction. First, attention is given to the concept of intention, as examined across disciplines, and the problems it raises. Secondly, a series of repeated topics in humour research are re-assessed (e.g. humour cues, the play frame, defective humour, and humour in scripted and filmed interactions), which are closely linked to humorous intentions. Most of these issues are mirrored in the specific contributions to this Special Issue, which function as an extensive depiction of how humorous intention can be examined in the future.