The article is devoted to the interpretation of parody, satire, and caricature within the framework of premodern, modern, and postmodern societies. Considering mainly Western European and Russian cases, the researchers conclude that system of regulations and conventions linked the addressee and the addresser. The article compares some of the strategies and reputational capabilities of the satirical weeklies "Charivari", "Punch", "Spark", "Alarm clock" and "Dragonfly", an attempt is made to rank these publications according to the degree of public consent and disturbance of the public peace. Finally, conclusions are drawn about taboos and topics prohibited by the legal or moral law, the appeal to which has a clearly conflicting potential.