How many types of jokes are there

Knock-Knock Jokes

Knock-knock jokes are a type of joke where one person knocks on an imaginary door, another person responds “Who’s there?”, and the first person gives a humorous response before both people laugh. Knock-knock jokes have a simple call and response structure that makes them easy to tell and understand. They often rely on puns, wordplay, and unexpected or absurd responses to create humor.

Origins

The exact origins of knock-knock jokes are unclear, but they became widely popular in the United States during the 1930s. The knock-knock joke structure is thought to have derived from old vaudeville routines where people would exchange clever rhyming banter while knocking on doors or gates. The jokes were frequently printed in magazines and became a popular pastime among children and adults.

Structure

Knock-knock jokes follow a simple two-line structure:

1. Person 1: “Knock knock”
2. Person 2: “Who’s there?”
3. Person 1: “[Funny response]”

The first person initiates the joke by saying “Knock knock.” The second person responds “Who’s there?” setting up the joke. The first person then gives a humorous or unexpected response. This response often contains a pun or play on words.

Person 1: Knock knock

Person 2: Who’s there?

Person 1: Daisy

Person 2: Daisy who?

Person 1: Daisy me rollin’, they hatin’

Types of Knock-Knock Jokes

There are several common types of knock-knock jokes:

• Puns – These jokes rely on a pun or play on words for humor. For example:Person 1: Knock knockPerson 2: Who’s there?Person 1: Adore

  Person 2: Adore who?

  Person 1: Adore is between us, open up!
• Riddles – The response sets up a riddle for the other person. For example:Person 1: Knock knockPerson 2: Who’s there?Person 1: Amanda

  Person 2: Amanda who?

  Person 1: Amanda fix your sink, it’s leaking!
• Silly – These jokes are just plain silly or absurd. For example:Person 1: Knock knockPerson 2: Who’s there?Person 1: Chicken

  Person 2: Chicken who?

  Person 1: Chicken out this great joke!

Humor Techniques

Knock-knock jokes use several literary techniques to create humor:

• Surprise/twist endings – The response subverts expectations for comic effect.
• Creative wordplay – Puns, rhymes, and double meanings surprise the listener.
• Imagery – Absurd visuals make the jokes memorable.
• Role-playing – The call and response format helps build the joke.

Popularity

Knock-knock jokes remain popular, especially among children. Reasons for their enduring popularity include:

• They have a predictable structure that’s easy to remember.
• The two line format allows for fast joke telling.
• Their reliance on puns and wordplay challenges listeners.
• They allow for creative absurd responses.

While other joke forms have risen and fallen, the simplicity and flexibility of knock-knock jokes have made them a comedy staple. Whether told on the playground, in the office, or even by AI assistants, knock-knock jokes deliver smiles and continue to knock it out of the park.

One-liners

One-liners are short, witty jokes that are delivered in a single sentence. They are pithy, often sarcastic quips that play on words or common idioms to produce humor in just a few words. One-liners have been a staple comedy form for decades, showing up frequently in vaudeville routines, comedy sketches, sitcoms, and stand-up acts.

Characteristics

Some key characteristics of one-liners include:

• Brevity – They must be short and to the point, usually 10 words or less.
• Wordplay – One-liners often use puns, double entendres, oxymorons, irony, sarcasm, or other linguistic devices.
• Twist ending – The humor comes from an unexpected or sudden shift at the end of the sentence.
• Universality – The humor stems from common experiences or observations that many people can relate to.

Types

There are a few main types of one-liners:

Observational Humor

These one-liners poke fun at mundane aspects of everyday life and experiences we all can relate to. For example:

• “I’m on a seafood diet. I see food, and I eat it.”
• “I used to have a handle on life, but then it broke.”
• “I’m reading a book on the history of glue. I just can’t seem to put it down.”

Self-Deprecating Humor

These one-liners use irony and sarcasm to make lighthearted jokes at one’s own expense. For example:

• “I’m a multitasker. I can listen, ignore and forget all at the same time!”
• “I’m not lazy, I’m just very relaxed.”
• “I’m not saying I’m batman, I’m just saying no one has ever seen me and batman in the same room together.”

Insult Humor

These biting one-liners mock or criticize someone else in a humorous way. For example:

• “I’d insult you but nature did a better job.”
• “Does your train of thought have a caboose?”
• “If your brain was donated to science, science would return it.”

Satirical Humor

These sarcastic quips poke fun at society, culture, or politics. For example:

• “I’m going to stop procrastinating… tomorrow.”
• “Apparently, my snoring is so loud it scares everyone in the car I’m driving.”
• “I bought a vacuum cleaner six months ago… so far it’s just gathering dust.”

Comedic Devices

Some common comedic devices used in one-liners include:

• Puns – Plays on words with similar sounds but different meanings
• Hyperbole – Exaggeration taken to ridiculous extremes
• Irony – Contrast between expectations and realities
• Sarcasm – Saying the opposite of what you mean for humorous effect
• Twist ending – Unexpected or surprise shift at the end of the joke

Examples

Here are some classic one-liner examples:

• “I wondered why the baseball was getting bigger. Then it hit me.”
• “I’m reading a book about anti-gravity. It’s impossible to put down.”
• “Writing my name in cursive is my signature move.”
• “I was wondering why the frisbee kept getting bigger and bigger, but then it hit me.”
• “If you spin an oriental man in a circle three times, does he become disoriented?”

Popularity

One-liners remain popular because they pack maximum humor into minimal words. They are easy to remember and repeat, and comedians continue using them as short jokes between longer routines. Social media has also allowed one-liners to proliferate and reach wider audiences. Overall, the brevity, wordplay, and surprise endings of one-liners make them an enduring and beloved joke format.

Puns

Puns, also known as paronomasia, are a form of word play that take advantage of words, phrases or sentences that have multiple meanings. Puns use words that have similar sounds but different meanings (homophones), different meanings but similar spellings (homographs), or multiple meanings (polysemes) to create humorous effects.

Types of Puns

There are several common types of puns:

• Homophonic puns – These puns play on words that sound alike but have different meanings and spellings. For example: “I tried to catch some fog earlier, but I mist.” In this pun, the words “mist” and “missed” sound identical but have different meanings.
• Homographic puns – Homographic puns use words that are spelled identically but have different meanings. For example: “The bandage was wound around the wound.” Here, the first “wound” means an injury, while the second “wound” refers to wrapping something around.
• Polysemic puns – Also called polysemous puns, these puns take advantage of words that have multiple related meanings. For example: “The meteorologists can’t seem to make up their minds. There’s a 50% chance of rain, so it’s still up in the air.” Here, “up in the air” refers both to the rain still being undecided, as well as rain being in the air.

Puns may also combine these techniques, like using a homophone that exploits multiple meanings. Puns can also rely on idioms, cliches, quotes, and pairings of synonyms or antonyms.

Humor and Wordplay in Puns

Puns create humor and laughs through clever and unexpected plays on words. The humor often rests in connecting two unlike ideas through wordplay and thereby surprising the audience. Good puns take advantage of nuances in language, semantics, idioms, phonetics, and context to link together comically incongruous meanings. The humor arises from the unexpected juxtaposition of meanings and interpretations that puns reveal.

Puns frequently rely on creativity and lateral thinking to forge new associations between words and concepts. They can bend or break the rules of language and logic in humorous ways. The punnier will deploy a clever turn of phrase to link words and ideas that normally do not match but suddenly amuse when connected.

Examples of Puns

Here are some more examples of puns playing with homophones, homographs, and polysemes:

• I used to be addicted to soap, but I’m clean now.
• She had a photographic memory but never developed it.
• I wasn’t originally going to get a brain transplant, but then I changed my mind.
• My husband suffers from short-term remembering loss. It runs in the family. His father forgot where he parked his car. That’s Alzheimer’s for you.
• Don’t trust atoms. They make up everything.

Puns often rely on phonetics, idioms, and cultural contexts as well. For example:

• There was a big paddle sale at the boat store. It was quite an oar deal.
• I told my carpenter friend that he should open a restaurant. He replied, “I already run a joint.”
• My friend got mad when he caught me stealing his dictionary. I told him to look up “gullible” in the dictionary because I removed that page.

As these examples show, puns exploit the flexibility of language and word associations in humorous and witty ways. They reveal overlaps and double meanings that prompt the surprise of seeing a verbal trick unfold through an unexpected play on words.

Deadpan Humor

Deadpan humor, also known as dry humor or straight face humor, is a comedic style in which the comedian delivers a joke in a serious, deadpan manner, not showing any emotion or facial expressions. This creates a contrast between the silly, absurd, or ridiculous nature of the joke and the serious delivery. The humor comes from the juxtaposition of the joke content and the serious tone and facial expression. Deadpan comedians often pretend not to get their own joke while the audience laughs.

Characteristics of Deadpan Humor

Some key characteristics of deadpan comedy include:

• Deliberate lack of expression – The comedian intentionally keeps a serious, straight face when delivering the joke.
• Absurd or ridiculous content – The actual content of the joke is silly, nonsensical, or ironic.
• Contrast between content and delivery – There is an obvious mismatch between the absurd content and the serious delivery.
• Pretending not to get the joke – The comedian may pretend to not understand why the audience is laughing.
• Dry wit – Deadpan often relies on clever wordplay, irony, sarcasm, or understatement.
• Unexpected punchlines – The punchlines are often unexpected, which adds to the humorous effect.

Origins and History

Deadpan comedy has origins in early vaudeville and silent film comedians like Buster Keaton. Keaton often portrayed characters who remained stoic and kept a straight face against the backdrop of chaotic, slapstick physical comedy. Later deadpan comedians included Steve Allen, Diane Keaton, and Leslie Nielsen. More contemporary masters of deadpan include Stephen Wright, Steven Wright, and Mitch Hedberg.

Famous Deadpan Comedians

Some notable comedians known for deadpan delivery include:

Comedian	Background
Leslie Nielsen	Known for deadpan delivery in spoof films like Airplane! and The Naked Gun.
Steven Wright	Low-key, monotonous delivery of ironic one-liners.
Mitch Hedberg	Surreal, non-sequitur stand-up comedy routines.
Kristen Wiig	Saturday Night Live alum, known for deadpan characters.
Aubrey Plaza	Parks and Recreation star, deadpan and sarcastic delivery.

Using Deadpan in Comedy

Deadpan can be an effective comedic technique when used strategically. Some tips for using deadpan humor include:

• Keep a straight face – Don’t crack a smile or laugh at your own joke.
• Allow the absurdity to register – Give the audience a beat to realize how ridiculous the statement is.
• Use contrast – The more absurd or ironic the content, the funnier it is against a serious backdrop.
• Feign ignorance – Pretend not to realize the joke you just made.
• Subtle delivery – Don’t oversell the joke; let the irony speak for itself.
• Lean into awkward pauses – Allowing uncomfortable silences builds the comedy.

When Deadpan Works Best

Deadpan thrives in these comedic circumstances:

• Satire or parody – The serious delivery highlights the absurdity of the satirical content.
• Surreal humor – Absurd juxtapositions and non-sequiturs work well deadpanned.
• Wit and wordplay – Irony, sarcasm, and clever turns of phrase flourish in deadpan.
• Awkward situations – Remaining straight-faced can highlight uncomfortable scenarios.
• Subverting expectations – Unexpected punchlines land well with serious delivery.

Risks of Deadpan Humor

There are some risks with deadpan comedy including:

• Laughing or breaking character – This ruins the deadpan effect.
• Forgetting punchlines – Memory slip-ups are more obvious without smiling or inflection.
• Seeming disengaged – Low energy without smiles can appear detached.
• Jokes falling flat – Absurdity doesn’t always register; lines just seem non-sensical.
• Alienating those unfamiliar with deadpan – Some may think the comedian is serious and became confused.

Conclusion

When done well, deadpan comedy creates humor by playing the absurdity of jokes against a contrasting serious delivery. It takes practice and skill but can generate big laughs when the audience realizes the jokes are landing in a completely flat affect. Deadpan comedy highlights the inherent ridiculousness in everyday life. As Leslie Nielsen once deadpanned, “The reason so many people turned up at his funeral is that they wanted to make sure he was dead.”

Dark Humor: A Provocative Form of Comedy

Dark humor, also known as black comedy or gallows humor, is a comedic style that makes light of subject matter that is generally considered taboo, particularly subjects that are normally considered serious or painful to discuss. This type of humor often uses cynicism and irony to make witty observations about challenging life circumstances that elicit morbid amusement in the audience.

Defining Characteristics

Some defining characteristics of dark humor include:

• Treating disturbing subject matter in an irreverent, humorous way
• Use of irony and satire to highlight absurdity
• Exploring taboo, controversial, or frightening topics
• A tone that revels in nonlinearity, contradictions, and a lack of resolution
• laughter induced by discomfort, disbelief, anxiety, or shock value

Subject matter considered fair game for dark comedy includes death, violence, disease, sexuality, religion, politics, drug abuse, mental illness, grief, genocide, and other topics that violate social norms about appropriate topics for humor.

Origins and History

The term “black humor” was coined in 1935 by the Surrealist theorist André Breton. But using humor to make light of morbid, taboo, or bleak subject matter has a long history in various cultures dating back centuries.

Prominent examples in literary history include the satirical humanist François Rabelais in 16th century France, whose novel Gargantua and Pantagruel comically examined human misconduct and societal ills. The absurdist fiction of Franz Kafka in the early 20th century, with its illogical and nightmarish qualities, also laid important groundwork for the emergence of black comedy as a distinct genre.

Black comedy grew increasingly prominent in the 1950s and 1960s, with authors like Joseph Heller (Catch-22), Kurt Vonnegut (Slaughterhouse-Five), and Thomas Pynchon (The Crying of Lot 49) using dark humor in response to the climate of the Cold War and threat of nuclear conflict. Films like Stanley Kubrick’s Dr. Strangelove and TV shows like All in the Family also pushed dark comedy into the cultural mainstream.

Types of Dark Humor

There are various types of dark humor. Some examples include:

• Deadpan: Delivering morbid jokes with an emotionless, serious demeanor.
• Absurdist: Humor relying on ridiculous, illogical, and bizarre situations.
• Crude: Relying on vulgar, offensive, or obscene subject matter to shock the audience.
• Sociopolitical: Uses satire, irony, and hyperbole to criticize social norms, injustice, or political issues.
• Gallows: Makes light of one’s own grave, depressing situation.

Dark humor often overlaps with satire, absurdism, cringe comedy, and other styles that subvert audiences’ expectations and norms for appropriate comedic material.

Controversies and Ethics

The provocative nature of dark humor frequently stirs debate about ethical implications. Supporters argue it allows comedy to push boundaries and facilitate catharsis or insight about difficult subjects. But critics contend elements like mocking tragedies or societal prejudices can normalize insensitivity. Contextual factors like the intent, setting, and audience of the humor play a role in judging where it crosses ethical lines. Even among supporters, there are disagreements on what topics may be acceptable targets for black comedy vs. those considered beyond the pale.

Ultimately, whether dark humor has redeeming social value or promotes harm comes down to highly subjective determinations. The controversies surrounding it reveal the complex, nuanced relationship between comedy, free expression, social norms, and ethics.

Examples in Pop Culture

Dark humor is ubiquitous in contemporary comedy across media. Prominent examples include:

• TV shows like South Park, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Rick and Morty
• Stand-up comics like Anthony Jeselnik, Sarah Silverman, and Louis CK
• Films like Heathers, American Psycho, and Shaun of the Dead
• Memes and viral jokes on taboo topics shared online

The popularity of dark comedy speaks to audiences’ fascination with exploring controversial subject matter through unconventional humor and satire. As technology and culture continue to evolve, dark humor is likely to remain a staple of comedy that pushes boundaries. While provoking discomfort, it also provides entertainment, social commentary, and catharsis for many.

Observational Jokes

Observational humor is a style of comedy that notices odd behaviors, situations, or insights from everyday life and comments on them in a witty or sarcastic way. Observational comedy often points out the funny little ironies of modern society that we take for granted or don’t normally pay attention to.

Observational comedy frequently relies on topical references and common experiences that the audience can relate to. By pointing out the absurdity in mundane aspects of daily life, observational comedians can elicit laughs and nods of recognition from their audiences.

Key Features of Observational Humor

• Makes funny, ironic, or sarcastic comments about common occurrences or behaviors
• Relies on the audience’s shared experiences and perspectives
• Focuses on noticing and pointing out oversights in everyday life
• Often uses real-life situations or pop culture references as subject matter
• Tends to be witty, dry, and subtle in tone

Examples of Observational Jokes

Here are some examples of observational comedy routines and jokes:

Airplane Food Jokes

Comedians for decades have pointed out the lackluster quality and small portions of airline meals. Observational jokes about airplane food poke fun at the ubiquitous experience of being disappointed by the food served on flights.

“Airline breakfast? What’s the deal with airplane food, am I right? It’s like, here’s a little plate of lukewarm eggs and potatoes, because that’s what I want to eat at 6 AM in a seat that doesn’t recline.”

Self Checkout Jokes

The prevalence of self-checkout machines at grocery stores and other retailers has not gone unnoticed by observational comics. Jokes often focus on the hassles and frustrations of scanning barcodes, unexpected items in the bagging area, and trouble using the machines.

“Trying to use those self-checkout machines is like playing a game show called Will This Thing Yell at Me?”

Awkward Social Situations

Pointing out uncomfortable or absurd social interactions that we can all relate to is a classic observational comedy technique. Seinfeld was a master of jokes about handshake etiquette, oversharing coworkers, and other cringe-worthy moments.

“Why is it so socially awkward when you’re eating a banana in public? Everyone knows what you’re doing but you have to pretend like it’s not happening.”

Pop Culture References

References to TV shows, celebrities, internet trends, and other well-known cultural touch points are commonly used in observational comedy. These jokes rely on the shared pop culture knowledge between the comedian and audience.

“Does anyone else feel like we’re living in a Black Mirror episode at this point? Between social media and smartphones I can’t tell what’s real anymore.”

Tips for Writing Observational Jokes

Here are some tips for crafting effective observational comedy routines and jokes:

• Draw from common experiences that your audience can relate to
• Point out oversights, frustrations, and absurdities of everyday life
• Use sarcasm and wit to exaggerate the situation for comic effect
• Make sure the scenario is realistic and not too contrived
• Use timing, callbacks, and act-outs for extra laughs
• Tailor references to your particular audience
• Topic ideas: technology, social media, driving, shopping, relationships, etiquette fails

Observational comedy offers a fun and engaging way to creatively comment on the modern world. With practice and a good sense for irony, this comedic style can produce funny, incisive routines and one-liners.

Self-deprecating Jokes

Self-deprecating humor involves making fun of oneself. It is a style of comedy where the comedian pokes fun at their own flaws, failings, and misfortunes. This type of joke often relies on hyperbole and exaggeration to generate laughter. The premise is that it’s easier to laugh at one’s own shortcomings than to laugh at others.

Characteristics

Some common characteristics of self-deprecating jokes include:

• Poking fun at one’s appearance, personality, intelligence, talents, etc.
• Exaggerating one’s flaws or embarrassing moments
• Using hyperbole and irony to call attention to personal inadequacies
• Employing self-criticism and making oneself the butt of the joke
• Not taking oneself too seriously

This style of comedy requires the joke teller to have humility and a willingness to seem flawed or imperfect. The comedian must have enough confidence and self-awareness to highlight their own foibles for comedic effect.

Purposes

Some reasons comedians use self-deprecating humor include:

• To preemptively disarm critics and hecklers by making fun of oneself first
• To be relatable by showing they also have embarrassing moments and flaws
• To put the audience at ease since they are less likely to feel defensive or criticized
• To show confidence and self-acceptance by demonstrating they can laugh at themselves
• To get laughs and entertain the audience through witty self-reflection

Poking fun at oneself can help comedians seem more down-to-earth, humble, and genuine. Audiences often find self-effacing jokes amusing and non-threatening.

Examples

Some examples of self-deprecating humor:

• “I’m so clumsy I once tripped over my own feet. Turns out they were tied together.”
• “I’m so pale I make Casper the Friendly Ghost look tan.”
• “I’m so awkward I could trip over a cordless phone.”
• “I’m so skinny I have to run around in the shower to get wet.”
• “I’m so dumb I thought Taco Bell was a Mexican phone company.”

Comedian	Sample Self-Deprecating Joke
Rodney Dangerfield	“I get no respect. I bought a cemetery plot. The guy said, ‘There goes the neighborhood!'”
Phyllis Diller	“I was so ugly my mother used to feed me with a sling shot.”
Ellen DeGeneres	“I’m so uncoordinated I was once fired from a temp agency.”

Comedians like Rodney Dangerfield and Phyllis Diller frequently used self-deprecating jokes in their standup acts to get laughs from audiences.

Considerations

When using self-deprecating humor, comedians should keep the following in mind:

• Don’t overdo it or the jokes may seem sad or pathetic
• Poke fun at trivial flaws vs. deeper insecurities for best effect
• Make sure the audience realizes it’s meant humorously not seriously
• Laugh at oneself but don’t put oneself down excessively
• Ensure the comedy highlights shared human frailties and foibles

Used skillfully, self-deprecation can be a highly effective comedic technique. But it requires finesse to strike the right balance between funny and sad. A little bit of self-mockery goes a long way.

Insult Jokes

Insult jokes, also known as “roasts,” involve humor at the expense of a specific person or group. The purpose is to mock, tease or criticize someone or something through clever wordplay and wit. Insult comedy has its roots in ancient tribal traditions of ritual mockery and abuse. The anthropological purpose was to regulate social norms and suppress hubris. Insult jokes can reinforce societal taboos or break them down by subverting sacred cows and mocking establishements. When done right, insult comedy can be hilariously entertaining; when done wrong, it can come across as mean-spirited or oppressive.

Characteristics of Insult Jokes

Some common characteristics of insult jokes include:

• Using hyperbole and exaggeration to mock personal traits
• Poking fun at someone’s appearance, background, habits or quirks
• Levying accusations of stupidity, incompetence or undesirability
• Emphasizing imperfections for comedic effect
• Inserting clever puns, double entendres or unexpected rhymes
• Employing sarcasm, irony or deadpan delivery

Skilled insult comics walk a fine line between being offensive and being funny. The harshest put-downs are often reserved for public figures who have enough power or status to take the heat. Self-deprecation can also be a key component, showing the comedian doesn’t take themselves too seriously.

Types of Insult Jokes

Some common types and targets of insult jokes include:

• Celebrity roasts – Mocking pop culture icons and the entertainment industry
• Political satire – Disparaging figures in government and public policy
• Sports trash talk – Deriding rival teams and arrogant athletes
• Taunts and heckles – Teasing friends, family members or audience volunteers
• Self-deprecating humor – Poking fun at oneself and one’s flaws
• Stereotype send-ups – Subverting societal assumptions and biases

Comedic Devices in Insult Jokes

Insult comics make use of various literary techniques and rhetorical strategies to artfully craft their zingers, including:

• Hyperbole – Blatant exaggerations taken to ridiculous extremes
• Juxtaposition – Contrasting a target with their opposite
• Misdirection – Leading the audience one way before pivoting
• Personification – Attributing inhuman traits to a person
• Puns – Humorous wordplay and double meanings
• Similes and metaphors – Comparing a target to something else for effect

By couching their insults in creative language, skilled roasters can get away with saying things that would normally be considered impolite or offensive.

Risks of Insult Humor

While insult comedy can be wildly entertaining in the right context, there are some risks that come with it:

• May promote harmful stereotypes
• Potential to normalize prejudice
• Can enable bullying if taken too far
• Risk of punching down at disadvantaged groups
• Blurring the lines between comedy and cruelty
• Fostering dislike between social factions

The best insult comics walk a fine line, targeting those with enough power and status to take the criticism while avoiding jokes that could further marginalize vulnerable populations.

Examples of Insult Jokes

Some classic examples of insult comedy zingers include:

• “I didn’t attend the funeral, but I sent a nice letter saying I approved of it.” – Mark Twain
• “Your face is just fine but we’ll have to put a bag over that personality.” – Phyllis Diller
• “I’ve had so much plastic surgery, when I die they will donate my body to Tupperware.” – Joan Rivers
• “Calling you stupid would be an insult to stupid people.” – Unknown
• “I’d like to see things from your point of view, but I can’t stick my head that far up my ass.” – George Carlin

While insult jokes may seem harsh on the surface, skillfully crafted barbs can elicit laughter from even the target. The humor ultimately brings people together through shared laughter at life’s absurdities.

Satire

Satire is a technique used in literature, art, commentary, and jokes to criticize or poke fun at vices, follies, abuses, and shortcomings in society and human nature. Satire often employs humor, exaggeration, irony, ridicule, and absurd situations to highlight issues and evoke critical thinking about political, social, and cultural norms. Common tools used in satire include parody, juxtaposition, analogy, and double entendres.

Characteristics of Satire

Some key characteristics of satirical works include:

• Using wit, exaggeration, and ridicule to expose flaws
• Invoking irony, sarcasm, and deadpan humor
• Highlighting hypocrisy, pretense, greed, corruption, etc.
• Seeking to improve society by constructive criticism
• Including caricatures, stereotypes, and stock characters

Types of Satire

There are several types and sub-genres of satire:

• Horatian satire – more gentle, amused tone mocking absurdities
• Juvenalian satire – harsh, contemptuous tone to underline corruption
• Menippean satire – mixes prose and verse to satirize intellects
• Burlesque – mocks by imitating and overdoing serious subjects
• Parody – mimics style/characteristic for comedic effect
• Political satire – pokes fun at politics and politicians
• Social satire – criticizes customs, morals, habits of society

Examples in Literature and Media

Famous satirical works and figures include:

• Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift
• Candide by Voltaire
• Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes
• Mark Twain’s novels like The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
• Oscar Wilde’s plays like The Importance of Being Earnest
• Dr. Strangelove – Cold war satire film
• Doonesbury – Political cartoon strip by Garry Trudeau
• Stephen Colbert on The Colbert Report
• Charlie Chaplin’s comedic films
• Monty Python comedy troupe

Purposes of Satire

Some aims of satire include:

• Exposing societal problems in a thought-provoking way
• Highlighting hypocrisy, vanity, immorality of individuals/groups
• Seeking reform by shaming vices and immoral practices
• Deflating the pretentious, pompous and arrogant
• Making complex issues relatable through humor and wit
• Entertaining readers while offering social commentary

Satire in Jokes

Satire is commonly employed in jokes and comedy to lampoon issues and topics like:

• Politics – jokes about politicians, elections, government incompetency
• Celebrity culture – mocking famous people’s vanity and eccentricities
• Social media – exaggerated portrayal of social media behavior
• Educational institutions – student life, strict teachers, exams
• Workplace culture – office politics, bureaucracy, meetings

Satirical jokes often rely on hyperbole, irony and stereotypes to present issues in an amusing yet thought-provoking way. Comedians like George Carlin, Ricky Gervais, Chris Rock, and Aziz Ansari frequently use satire in their stand-up routines and shows.

Overall, satire is a powerful vehicle for social commentary that can make people laugh while revealing underlying truths. When used effectively in jokes, it can entertain people while also making them reflect on society’s flaws and absurdities.

Parody

A parody is a humorous or satirical imitation of a serious literary, artistic, or popular work. Parodies exaggerate or mock the style and content of the original work for comic effect. They require the audience to have some familiarity with the original work in order to fully appreciate the humor. Parodies can target books, films, music, art, celebrities, or pop culture trends. Some of the key characteristics of parody include:

Exaggeration

Parodies rely heavily on hyperbole or exaggeration to mock the original. For example, in Weird Al Yankovic’s song “Eat It,” his lyrics exaggerate the themes of Michael Jackson’s “Beat It” to poke fun at the notion of a macho, streetwise tough guy daring someone to eat junk food rather than fight. The exaggerated parody lyrics such as “Have some more yogurt, have some more spam, it doesn’t matter if it’s fresh or canned” humorously mock the seriousness of the original song.

Irony

Parodies often employ irony to humorous effect. The gap between the expected meaning based on the original and the actual exaggerated meaning in the parody is where much of the humor lies. For instance, comedian Amy Schumer’s parody sketches of reality makeover shows ironically transform traditionally glamorous Hollywood tropes into mundane suburban settings for laughs. Her skit “The Real Housewives of Quinnipiac University” comically contrasts the luxe lifestyles of Bravo’s Real Housewives against the humdrum existence of college sorority sisters in a Connecticut dorm.

Satire

While parodies aim to mock a specific work, satirical parodies use imitation to critique the broader cultural context surrounding the original. For example, the book and film Don Quixote satirize the romantic chivalry of popular medieval tales by depicting a delusional man pathetically acting out an imagined knighthood. The exaggerated character of Don Quixote lays bare the fantastical absurdity behind noble knights errant. Similarly, the new musical Beetlejuice parodies the wholesome America of 1980s Tim Burton films using irony and dark humor to satirize Reagan-era suburban norms.

Wordplay

Parodies frequently employ puns, malapropisms, double entendres, mispronunciations, and other forms of comedic wordplay. Weird Al is known for his extensive use of puns to give his parody lyrics humorous twists on the original. For example, his Star Wars parody “The Saga Begins” turns Qui-Gon Jinn into “Quigon Gynt” (a reference to Ibsen’s play Peer Gynt) and Watto into “Fatto” as comic wordplay on the original character names. Parody relies heavily on linguistic humor through clever wordplay to reshape the meaning of the source material.

Juxtaposition

Placing characters or settings in an incongruous context is another parody technique. Comedy often derives from unlikely combinations that reveal the absurdity of reality. Parodies leverage absurd juxtapositions for humor, like putting regal historical figures in modern situations. For instance, the British comedy series Blackadder places the scheming Edmund Blackadder in different historical periods, juxtaposing medieval, Elizabethan, and WWI settings with modern sensibilities to mock the past. The juxtaposition of old and new reveals the parody.

Targets

While any iconic work is potential fodder for parody, some common targets include:

• Literary works – Don Quixote, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
• Art – Duchamp’s L.H.O.O.Q
• Film and TV – Scary Movie franchise, Spaceballs
• Music – Weird Al Yankovic, Flight of the Conchords
• Advertising – Saturday Night Live commercial parodies

Self-Parody

Some creators parody their own work before anyone else can, poking fun at their own style. For example, the writers of The Simpsons produce annual Halloween episodesPacked with self-referential humor parodying the show’s own characters and tropes. By self-parodying, creators can control the mockery on their own terms while showing familiarity with their work’s reputation.

Parody vs. Pastiche vs. Spoof

Parody is often confused with pastiche and spoof:

• Pastiche – Affectionate imitation designed to faithfully reproduce a style without mockery.
• Spoof – Playful satire without necessarily targeting a specific work.
• Parody – Humorous imitation that exaggerates a work’s features for comic effect.

While pastiche seeks to honorably reflect a work, and spoof broadly mocks a genre, parody distinctly targets a singular creative work to humorously criticize or comment on it.

Examples in Pop Culture

Popular parodies in contemporary pop culture include:

• Scary Movie – Parody of horror films like Scream and I Know What You Did Last Summer
• “Smells Like Nirvana” by Weird Al – Parody of Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit”
• Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story – Parody of musical biopics like Ray and Walk the Line
• Kung Faux – Parody of kung fu films using comical dubbing and editing
• The Lonely Island songs and SNL sketches – Musical and pop culture parodies

Parody continues to thrive as a comedic tool across the arts for mocking established works and commenting on society at large.

Meme Jokes

Meme jokes refer to humor that utilizes meme formats and meme culture as comedic devices. Memes themselves are viral images, videos, or pieces of text that spread rapidly online, often being remixed, edited, or imitated. Meme jokes leverage this remix culture by taking familiar meme templates and altering them in funny, unexpected ways.

There are several types of meme jokes:

Template Jokes

These are jokes that use a standard meme template or format, like the Distracted Boyfriend meme or the Expanding Brain meme, but change the text or imagery to create a humorous spin. The humor comes from subverting expectations and applying the meme format to a new, funny context.

Reaction Memes

Reaction memes take a viral video, image, or news event as a setup, and then use a meme image or format to convey a funny reaction. Often the reaction image will be exaggerated or unexpected given the original context, highlighting an absurdity or adding meta-commentary.

Parody Memes

Parody memes satirize or spoof existing memes by mimicking their style or format but altering them in ridiculous ways to highlight some flaw or irrationality in the original. The humor derives from the exaggeration or subversion of the source material.

Memetic Mutation

Memetic mutation refers to when a meme naturally evolves and branches off into new variations without conscious editing. Minor changes, remixes, and imitations accumulate over time through the process of spreading memetically, resulting in unintentional but humorous new versions.

Absurdist Memes

Absurdist memes are extremely weird or nonsensical images, videos, or text that become memes precisely because of their bizarre nature. The surreal imagery and irrational juxtapositions can elicit humor simply by being so strange and not making logical sense.

Meta-Humor

Meta-humor in memes involves jokes about meme culture itself and the behavior of online communities. It relies on the audience having an extensive knowledge of internet trends, viral phenomena, and meme formats in order to understand the multiple layers of self-referential comedy.

While meme jokes may seem absurdist, nonsensical, or even crass at times, they reflect an entire mode of viral online humor based on remix culture. Memes allow regular internet users to participate in creative humor by modifying and spreading joke formats in communities. At their best, meme jokes harness shared cultural symbols, collective creativity, and in-group knowledge for clever commentary and laughter.

Anti-humor or Anti-Jokes

Anti-humor or anti-jokes are a type of comedy in which the joke lacks a punchline or has an obvious, unfunny punchline. Unlike typical jokes that aim to provoke laughter, anti-jokes are intended to be purposely unfunny and ironic. The lack of a traditional punchline subverts the audience’s expectations, which is what provides the comedic effect.

Anti-jokes often rely on absurdism and non-sequiturs to create humor through their intentional lack of meaning. They may also derive humor from their mundane, literal, and matter-of-fact delivery. Common themes and subjects for anti-jokes include death, depression, suffering, discomfort, awkwardness, and other unpleasant topics that would normally be considered inappropriate for humor.

Here are some examples of popular anti-jokes:

• What’s red and bad for your teeth? A brick.
• Why did the chicken cross the road? To get to the other side.
• Knock knock. Who’s there? Nobody.
• What do you get when you cross a joke with a rhetorical question?

The humor in these anti-jokes stems from the lack of an actual punchline. The straightforward, overly literal responses deliberately subvert the expectation that a joke will have a clever or surprising answer. By removing the comedic twist, an anti-joke creates surprise through absurd mundanity rather than an unexpected wordplay.

Some best practices for delivering successful anti-jokes include:

• Maintaining a serious, deadpan delivery to heighten the absurdity of the non-joke.
• Choosing banal, straightforward answers that remove any clever wordplay.
• Selecting dark, taboo, or controversial topics that are normally off-limits for jokes.
• Timing the delivery for maximum awkwardness and irony.

The unexpected seriousness and lack of a punchline in anti-jokes can provoke surprised laughter and confusion in the audience. But the humor generally lies more in the cleverly crafted absurdity and irony of the non-sequiturs rather than just silliness alone.

Some variants on the anti-joke formula include:

• Shaggy dog stories – Long-winded jokes that end with an intentionally terrible pun or weak punchline after a lengthy buildup.
• Garden path jokes – Jokes that lead the audience down an expected narrative before abruptly switching direction.
• Non-punchline jokes – Jokes that lack any punchline or ending whatsoever.

While not always laugh-out-loud funny on the surface, anti-jokes have a cult following among fans of alternative comedy and absurdism. Their unexpected subversion of humor and complicity with the audience make anti-jokes a unique comedic artform.

Slapstick

Slapstick is a style of humor involving exaggerated physical comedy and absurd situations. The word originated in the 17th century from the prop “slap stick” that was used by clowns in commedia dell’arte. The physical nature of slapstick sets it apart from other joke styles that rely more on wordplay. Slapstick comedy often features pratfalls, collisions, and embarrassing mishaps. The humor derives from the surprise, absurdity, and exaggerated nature of the physical comedy.

Characteristics

Some key characteristics of slapstick comedy include:

• Exaggerated, over-the-top physical comedy and absurd situations
• Surprise and coincidences
• Clumsiness, pratfalls, and mishaps
• Funny facial expressions and reactions
• Comical violence and collisions
• Fast, frantic movement and chase scenes
• Absurd, impossible stunts and activities
• Use of props and clever visual gags

Origins

The slapstick style has its roots in ancient Greek and Roman comedy as well as Medieval farces. But it was the Italian commedia dell’arte troupe in the 17th century that popularized slapstick. The “slap stick” was a wooden prop that produced a slapping noise for comedic effect. Comedic traditions like commedia dell’arte, British pantomime, and the work of Charlie Chaplin went on to influence slapstick in the early cinema era.

Early Film Comedians

In the early 20th century, slapstick comedy thrived in vaudeville and silent films. Famous slapstick performers included:

• Charlie Chaplin – Known for his Little Tramp character with baggy pants, bamboo cane, and funny walk.
• Buster Keaton – “The Great Stone Face” who performed daredevil gags and stunts.
• Harold Lloyd – Climbed up tall buildings and hung from giant clocks in thrilling comic scenes.
• Laurel and Hardy – The classic duo whose films involved humorous disasters and destruction.
• The Three Stooges – Trio known for violent slapstick with lots of eye pokes and face slaps.

These comedians turned slapstick into an art form with precisely timed physical stunts and jokes.

Elements

Some common elements used in slapstick comedy include:

• The protagonist – Usually a clumsy, unintelligent, or unlucky character who encounters mishaps.
• Absurd situations – Exaggerated circumstances that are bizarre, unlikely, and defy logic.
• Physical comedy – Pratfalls, collisions, malfunctions involving the body and movement.
• Funny facial expressions – Goofy, exaggerated faces and reactions.
• Comical violence – Harmless battles, collisions, and roughhousing used for humorous effect.
• Chase scenes – Fast-paced scenes involving pursuits between characters.

Later Examples

Later forms of slapstick could be found in:

• Screwball comedies of the 1930s-40s like It Happened One Night
• Work of the Marx Brothers, Abbott and Costello
• Classic comedy films like Some Like It Hot
• Physical comedians like Jerry Lewis, Chevy Chase, Jim Carrey
• Characters like Mr. Bean and Homer Simpson
• Teen comedies like American Pie, Superbad

While less dominant today, slapstick continues to influence physical comedy in media.

Summary

In summary, slapstick is a comedic style featuring exaggerated, physical absurdity. Originating with ancient and Medieval traditions, it was popularized by commedia dell’arte and silent film comedians. It relies on precisely timed movement, funny facial expressions, comical violence, and absurd situations for its humor. Though no longer as common, slapstick continues to leave its mark on physical comedy across all mediums.

Inside Jokes

Inside jokes, also known as in-jokes or private jokes, refer to humor that is understood only by members of a specific social group, organization, or community. These jokes rely on knowledge, experiences, and references that outsiders simply don’t have access to. For the uninitiated, inside jokes often make little sense and aren’t found to be particularly funny. But for those on the inside, these jokes act as a way to bond, reinforce group identity, and provide amusement amongst peers who share common contexts and frames of reference.

There are many sources from which inside jokes can spring up. Long-running television shows, popular Internet memes, eccentric professors, strange customers at a workplace, embarrassing mishaps during corporate retreats, legendary bad restaurant experiences, that one co-worker everyone loves to hate…these shared reference points and memories can provide endless fodder for inside jokes.

Some common categories and sources of inside jokes include:

Category	Examples
Pop Culture	“Schweddy balls” – Saturday Night Live sketch
	“That’s what she said” – The Office
Internet Memes	Doge, Bad Luck Brian
Local Lore	Jokes about statues, landmarks, traditions, and quirks specific to a city or region
Lifestyle	Parent jokes, college jokes, church jokes, bar jokes
Professions	Doctor jokes, lawyer jokes, engineer jokes
Workplace	Jokes about overbearing boss, annoying coworkers, disastrous meetings
Friends & Family	Jokes about a friend’s embarrassing moment or a family member’s idiosyncrasies

While many inside jokes may seem cryptic and impenetrable to outsiders, they serve many important social purposes for those on the inside:

• They build camaraderie and rapport by reinforcing shared experiences and bonding over mutual contexts.
• They act as “shorthand” communication conveying meaning just between insiders.
• They create a sense of inclusion and exclusivity.
• They are a creative way to indirectly reference shared mishaps or faux pas that might otherwise be awkward to describe explicitly.
• They callback positive memories and nostalgia around formative collective experiences.

However, inside jokes also have some drawbacks to consider:

• Overuse of very localized or obscure inside jokes can isolate outsiders.
• Cryptic inside jokes told with no context can seem off-putting and nonsensical to non-insiders.
• Relying too heavily on inside jokes may prevent open sharing of memories and experiences.
• Too many references to past events may prevent a group from moving forward.

In summary, inside jokes reveal the close bonds and shared identities between people with common experiences. They should be used to build up intragroup rapport but not shut out outsiders or dwell excessively on the past. When used judiciously amongst the right crowd, inside jokes unlock laughter, reinforcement of rapport, and a sense of things being “just between us.”

Callback Jokes

Callback jokes refer to a type of running gag in comedy where a joke or reference is repeatedly brought back throughout a performance. These recurring jokes rely on the audience’s familiarity with the reference, building on the humor with each repetition. Callback jokes are an essential tool in every comedian’s arsenal, allowing them to create expanding laughs, reinforce ideas, and call back to earlier jokes.

What are Callback Jokes?

The term “callback” refers to when a comedian references or repeats an earlier joke at a later point in their set. This brings back or “calls back” the initial joke while adding more layers. The callback joke builds on the original, creating a compounding comedic effect for the audience. The more unexpected or cleverly integrated the callback is, the bigger the payoff.

Callbacks can take many forms. Some examples include:

• Directly repeating a punchline or tagline
• Making another joke about a previous topic
• Referencing an earlier joke’s premise
• Using a recurring character, phrase, or act-out
• Repeating a joke structure with new details

Skilled comedians layer callbacks throughout a set, weaving them together to create escalating laughs. The callbacks reward longtime fans who recognize them while still working for new audiences unaware of the reference. When done right, callback jokes gain momentum, becoming funnier each time as the subtext and shared experience builds.

Why Use Callback Jokes?

Callback jokes are useful for several reasons:

• Compound the humor – By repeatedly hitting on a funny topic or concept, comics amplify the laughs.
• Create an inside track – When the audience recognizes a callback, it makes them feel invested in the performance.
• Reinforce themes – Callbacks allow comedians to highlight key themes or ideas throughout a set.
• Add surprise – An unexpected callback catches the audience off-guard in a good way.
• Change perspective – Putting a fresh spin on an old joke breathes new life into the bit.

Comics like Jimmy Carr, Demetri Martin, and Bo Burnham are masters of the callback, building sets layered with references. When done skillfully, callbacks give a feeling of cohesion and act as constant touchpoints throughout the performance.

Examples of Callback Jokes

To illustrate how callback jokes are used, here are some examples:

Repeating Punchlines

One version is bookending jokes by repeating the punchline. Comedian Brian Regan opens with this joke in his special:

“My favorite drink is cranberry juice. Oh, it’s phenomenal. Because when you drink cranberry juice, they say it’s good for your bladder. I got news for you. Anything that’s good for your bladder is fun to drink, okay? Here’s the cranberry juice – wheeeeee! Good for my bladder? This is fun!”

Later in the set, he calls back the joke by simply reusing the punchline in a new context:

“I’m always the last one done eating. My family’s like, ‘We’re ready to go.’ I’m like, ‘What’s the rush? It’s good for the bladder! Whee!'”

Expanding Premises

Other callbacks build off the original premise. In one joke, comedian Jim Gaffigan talks about how he enjoys naps:

“I love naps. Sometimes it’s the only thing getting me out of bed in the morning. I’m just like ‘Remember, at some point today, you get to nap.’ That’s the dream.”

Later, he expands this with:

“I don’t think naps get the respect they deserve. If you have a job interview, it’s acceptable to say ‘I slept great last night – 8 hours.’ But you can’t say ‘I took the best nap today – 2 hours.’ People look down on naps. You can even major in napping in college and people act confused. ‘What are you going to do with a napping degree?’ I don’t know, nap?”

Recurring Characters

Some comedians use callbacks with recurring made-up characters in their act. Comedian Amy Schumer frequently brings back a character named “Patrice” throughout her routines. In one joke Patrice says:

“I stopped drinking for a while. I realized I wasn’t even having fun anymore. I was just drinking to make other people seem less boring. And that’s not right for me at this juncture.”

Later she revisits the character:

“I started drinking again. What happened was I heard laughter one night walking home from the gym. And I thought to myself ‘Patrice, are you missing out on something?'”

When to Use Callback Jokes

To utilize callbacks effectively, strategically consider when to re-introduce references. Potential times include:

• At the beginning/end – Bookending with a callback wraps up the set neatly.
• Before a big laugh – A callback prepares the audience and compounds the next joke.
• During transitions – Bridges the gap between topics smoothly.
• To reinforce themes – Efficiently reminds audience of key takeaways.
• When momentum slows – Brings energy back up and gets audience re-engaged.

Spacing callbacks appropriately gives them more impact. If too close together, they can feel redundant. Too far apart, and audiences may forget the reference. Evaluate pacing and audience response to determine ideal timing.

Conclusion

When crafted thoughtfully, callback jokes are a versatile tool for comedy writing. Linking jokes together with callbacks allows comedians to expand on humor, surprise audiences, and create a unified set. Callbacks reinforce laugh lines while showcasing a comedian’s wit, ultimately heightening the overall comedic effect.

Wordplay Jokes

Wordplay jokes rely on the multiple meanings of words, or similarities in spelling and pronunciation, for their humorous effect. This type of joke is extremely common, as the versatility of language allows for endless puns, double entendres, and other wordplay.

Types of Wordplay

There are several main categories of wordplay jokes:

• Puns: A pun exploits different possible meanings of a word or the fact that there are words which sound alike but have different meanings.
• Spoonerisms: Spoonerisms use the accidental switching of initial sounds in phrases, such as saying “a blushing crow” instead of “a crushing blow.”
• Wellerisms: Wellerisms are phrases in which the final word provides a punning commentary on the earlier part. For example, “everyone to their own taste,” said the woman as she kissed her cow.
• Double entendres: A double entendre is a word or phrase which can be understood in two different ways, one of which is often risqué or ironic.
• Tom Swifty: A Tom Swifty combines an adverb that relates to the actual statement. For example, “I’m exhausted,” he said sleepily.
• Homophones: Homophones are words that are pronounced the same way but have different meanings and often different spellings. An example would be hair and hare.

Examples of Wordplay Jokes

Here are some examples of jokes using wordplay:

• I tried to catch some fog earlier. I mist.
• They told me I had type-A blood, but it was a typo.
• Getting paid to sleep would be a dream job.
• I used to have a fear of hurdles, but I got over it.
• Did you hear about the hungry clock? It went back four seconds.
• I used to be addicted to soap, but I’m clean now.

Popularity of Wordplay

Wordplay jokes have been popular for centuries, across many cultures. Puns can be found in ancient Greek plays, Shakespeare’s works, and ancient Sanskrit poems. While silly, puns and wordplay humorously subvert our expectations using the flexibility of language itself.

Types of wordplay like spoonerisms and wellerisms emerged in the 19th century. Their popularity expanded with mass media in the 20th century, spreading puns and wordplay more widely. Comedians and comedy writers today continue creating new jokes using wordplay.

Reliance on Shared Language

For wordplay to work, the speaker and listener must share a cultural and linguistic background. Puns frequently rely on idioms, dried-up metaphorical phrases that retain figurative meaning. The listener needs to quickly decode the joke’s wordplay against their knowledge of the language’s structure and lexicography.

This can make translating wordplay challenging. Many wordplay jokes fall flat when directly translated into a new language. As a result, successfully translating wordplay humor may require adapting cultural references and word meanings.

Functions of Wordplay

Wordplay serves multiple functions beyond just humor:

• Mnemonic device, as in wellerisms
• Emphasis by subverting expectations
• Allows new insight into language
• Relieves tension by lightening mood

While not all wordplay succeeds equally well, the goal of wordplay remains the same – amusingly manipulate language by playing with its sounds, structures, and meanings.

Double Entendre

A double entendre is a type of joke or figure of speech that relies on a word or phrase having two interpretations, typically one innocent meaning and one more risqué or bawdy meaning. The humor lies in the double meaning being understood by the audience, who realize the sexual innuendo behind the seemingly innocent words.

Defining Characteristics

Double entendres have the following key characteristics:

• Use a word or phrase that can have two meanings – one literal and one sexual/naughty
• Play on the audience’s awareness of the risqué meaning behind the innocent phrasing
• Allow the risqué meaning to be understood without being explicitly stated
• Are intentionally ambiguous to tease the audience

Skilled use of double entendre allows suggestive or provocative humor without being too overt. The subtlety lies in the implied second meaning rather than direct reference. The audience feels clever for picking up on the hidden risqué meaning.

Examples

Here are some classic examples of double entendre jokes playing on the double meaning of common words and phrases:

• “Do you want to come upstairs for some coffee?” (using “coffee” to imply sex)
• “She had two lovely big asterisks” (using “asterisks” to coyly reference breasts)
• “He brought me flowers, so I spread my legs for that sweet pollination” (playing on the sexual connotation of pollination)
• “I made quite the load last night” (load meaning ejaculate, not laundry)
• “Insert tab A into slot B” (using hardware terms to reference sex)

Innocent Meaning	Risqué Meaning
Coffee	Sex
Asterisks	Breasts
Pollination	Sexual intercourse
Load	Ejaculate
Hardware terms	Sexual anatomy

This table summarizes some of the most common examples of innocent meanings being used to imply more provocative secondary meanings.

Use in Media

Double entendres are very common comedic devices in entertainment media. Clever writers can use them to inject sexual humor into their work without being too obvious. Double meaning allows more adult-oriented jokes to be included in mainstream works by being just subtle enough to potentially go over the heads of younger or more innocent audiences. Their use helps writers walk the line between family-friendly and more mature comedy.

Examples of double entendre are found across all forms of comedy media including:

• Sitcoms – e.g. winkingly sexual phrases on shows like Modern Family
• Sketches – much of the humor on Saturday Night Live relies on double meanings
• Stand-up comedy – comedians like Stewart Lee frequently exploit double entendres
• Movies – the James Bond franchise is rife with risqué double entendres

In the right comedic hands, the clever use of double meanings allows humorists to inject naughtiness into their work without being too crude or obvious.

Conclusion

In summary, double entendres are a comedic device that relies on words or phrases having a risqué secondary meaning underneath their innocent surface interpretation. Skilled use of double meaning allows humorists to craft jokes and gags that are subtly provocative without being too vulgar. The implied risqué secondary meaning is understood by the audience without needing to be directly stated. Double entendres frequently exploit the double meanings of common words and phrases to inject sexual humor into comedy media without pushing boundaries too far. When handled with wit and subtlety, they exemplify the age-old idea that “less is more” in comedic writing.

Referential Jokes

Referential jokes, also known as inside jokes or in-jokes, are humor that relies on a shared cultural or social context between the joke teller and audience. These jokes only make sense if you have prior knowledge about specific people, events, places, or pieces of media that the joke refers to. Referential humor thrives among small, close-knit groups like families, friend groups, fandoms, colleagues, etc. who have a lot of shared experiences and in-jokes. However, referential jokes can fall flat if told to an unfamiliar audience.

Characteristics

Some key characteristics of referential jokes:

• Depend on shared knowledge – Only funny if the listeners already know details about the specific person, event, quote being referenced.
• Foster in-group bonds – Reflects shared memories, strengthens feelings of belonging between joke teller and audience who “get it.”
• Exclude outsiders – Those unfamiliar with the reference won’t understand the joke and can feel left out of the inside circle.
• Often involve quoting or mimicking a familiar phrase in a new, humorous way.
• Can reminisce about nostalgic pop culture like old TV shows, movies, songs, etc.

Examples

Here are some common types of referential humor:

Quoting Inside Jokes

• “We don’t talk about Bruno” – Referencing hit song from Encanto
• “Bears. Beets. Battlestar Galactica.” – Quoting The Office TV show
• “I’ll be back.” (in Arnold Schwarzenegger voice) – Mimicking Terminator movie quote

Parodying Shared Pop Culture

• Making jokes about Darth Vader or Gandalf during a costume party or comic convention, relying on shared fandom knowledge.
• Poking fun at pop culture icons like Elvis or The Beatles through imitations, exaggerated mannerisms, calling out famous scandals, etc.
• Using meme references like “one does not simply…” that only make sense if audience has seen the memes.

Inside Jokes About People or Events

• “Jeff really Britta’d that job interview” – Referencing two characters on Community TV show.
• Making an inside joke about something funny that happened on a group trip.
• Teasing a friend about an embarrassing incident only your social circle knows about.

While referential jokes resonate most with people who share common knowledge and experience, crafting jokes that are too exclusive can isolate wider audiences. The most clever referential comedy makes the humor accessible enough for outsiders to appreciate, if not completely understand, the layers of meaning.

Surrealist Jokes

Surrealist jokes utilize absurd, dreamlike imagery and non-sequiturs to create humor through surprises and nonsensical juxtapositions. They often subvert logic and play with contrasts between the rational and irrational. Surrealist jokes may not always have a traditional punchline, but rather evoke humor through their bizarre and unexpected imagery and absurd comparisons.

Surrealist jokes have their roots in the Surrealist art movement that began in the early 20th century. Surrealists aimed to liberate the imagination by embracing the irrational and the unconscious. Surrealist jokes and humor apply these techniques by assembling jarring combinations of images and ideas that would not normally go together. The disorienting effects and contradictions provoke thought and laughter.

Here are some examples of surrealist jokes and explanations of the mechanisms behind them:

Surrealist Joke	Explanation
Q: What do you get when you cross an elephant with a rhinoceros? A: Elephino	This joke plays on the made-up word “elephino” which sounds like “hell if I know.” The initial question sets up an absurd hypothetical scenario, building anticipation for a clever or surprising answer. The nonsensical and anti-climactic punchline subverts expectations and prompts the reader to fill in the gaps with their own interpretation of the absurdity.
I dreamt I was pushing a door that said “pull.”	This very short joke juxtaposes the literal and the dreamlike. Doors in dreams often work counterintuitively, yet this detail is presented matter-of-factly as if it made perfect sense. The absurd logic of dream worlds colliding with waking life is what creates the humor.
Q: What is green and hangs from the ceiling? A: A billiard table.	The initial question sets up anticipation for a sensible answer, but the punchline is a complete non-sequitur. Imagining a billiard table defying gravity and hanging from the ceiling creates a bizarre visual that elicits a surprise laugh by subverting expectations.

Surrealists employ devices like bizarre imagery, absurd comparisons, non-sequiturs, and plays on words or logic to create surprises and evoke humor. Their jokes aim to spark new associations and perspectives by clashing disparate concepts such as dreams vs. reality, rational vs. irrational, or abstract vs. concrete. The humor arises from the reader’s attempt to resolve the conceptual conflicts.

Common Techniques in Surrealist Humor

Here are some common techniques used in surrealist jokes and humor:

• Juxtaposition – Positioning contrasting or incompatible concepts, images, words or ideas side-by-side to provoke new interpretations.
• Non-sequitur – An abrupt transition or illogical statement that seems unrelated to what preceded it.
• Wordplay – Punning, double meanings, or made-up words and phrases.
• Absurd imagery – Descriptions of impossible, dreamlike, or irrational scenarios.
• Subversion of logic – Flouting rules of reasoning and real-world sense to highlight imaginative absurdities.
• Disorienting shifts in perspective – Quick changes in point of view, scale, or context that surprise the reader.

Surrealists leverage these devices to create the unexpected conceptual combinations, contradictions, and imaginative leaps that elicit laughs, shakes up assumptions, and reveals alternate meanings.

Origins in Surrealist Art

Surrealist humor has its roots in the avant-garde Surrealist art movement that began in Europe in the 1920s. Surrealist artists like Salvador Dali, Rene Magritte, and Max Ernst aimed to liberate imagination and creativity by tapping into the unconscious mind and dreams. Their art often features jarring, dreamlike juxtapositions that fuse contradictory elements like realism and abstraction, fantasy and mundanity.

The Surrealists valued absurdity and irrationality as ways to spark new ways of looking at the world. This influenced the development of Surrealist jokes and comedic techniques that rely on subconscious associations, dream logic, and absurd summations to get at deeper truths. The disorienting effects of surrealist humor shocks viewers out of normal patterns of thinking and reveals alternate realities.

Influence on Comedy

The Surrealist movement had a wider influence on avant-garde comedy and humor beyond just jokes. Surrealism shaped the rise of absurdist theater in the 1950s, exemplified by playwrights like Samuel Beckett and Eugene Ionesco. Their plays often featured ridiculous imaginary scenarios, nonsensical dialogues, and tragi-comic characters to highlight the absurdity of human existence.

Surrealist techniques can be seen in the work of modern comedians and comedy groups like Monty Python, whose TV shows and movies blended absurd sketches, bizarre animations, and mockumentary styles. Contemporary surreal humor can be found in media like internet memes, viral videos, and Adult Swim-style shows. Mainstream comedy continues to incorporate surrealist elements to surprise audiences and reveal absurdities in fresh ways.

While not all surrealist jokes result in laugh-out-loud punchlines, they exemplify how humor can stretch imagination and offer unexpected perspectives on life. Surrealism’s aim to tap into dreams and the unconscious mind continues to influence comedic devices that revel in the irrational, irreverent, and imaginative sides of humor.

Newsy Jokes

Newsy jokes refer to jokes that poke fun at recent news stories and current events. These topical jokes rely on the audience’s awareness of a particular news item to find the humor. The jokes typically exaggerate or twist certain aspects of a news story in an amusing way.

Newsy jokes are a popular type of joke for late night talk shows, comedy news programs, and stand-up comedians. With the 24-hour news cycle constantly churning out new stories, there is always fresh material for comedians to joke about. Timeliness is key for newsy jokes to land – the jokes are most funny and relatable when the news events are still fresh in the minds of the audience.

Characteristics of Newsy Jokes

• References recent news stories, celebrities, politics, pop culture
• Exaggerates or twists aspects of news stories in a humorous way
• Relies on audience’s awareness of the original news story
• Often involves impersonations of politicians, celebrities, public figures
• Uses irony, hyperbole, sarcasm, and other comedic devices
• Has a short shelf life – humor is directly related to novelty and timeliness of news events

Examples of Newsy Jokes

“Did you guys see the Oscars last night? Yeah, it was a short ceremony this year. As soon as Will Smith was announced as the winner for King Richard, Chris Rock handed him the trophy and got the hell off stage.”

This joke from a fictional late night monologue pokes fun at the infamous Oscars slap incident between Will Smith and Chris Rock. It exaggerates the interaction for comedic effect.

“I saw that gas prices are getting insane – over $7 a gallon in some places! I tried to fill up my car the other day but all I could afford was a half a gallon. I’ve got a Tesla now that runs on hopes and prayers.”

This fictional joke references the recent surge in gas prices by exaggerating the impact and twisting it into an absurd visual of only being able to afford a half gallon of gas.

“Hey did you all see the Super Bowl halftime show with Rihanna? Yeah she put on an amazing performance, belting out all her classic hits like Umbrella, Diamonds, and Work From Home in Your Third Trimester.”

Here a fictional late night host makes up an exaggerated song title to poke fun at Rihanna’s Super Bowl performance shortly after she announced her pregnancy.

Tips for Writing Newsy Jokes

• Closely follow daily news coverage and look for quirky stories that can be exaggerated for comedic effect.
• Be timely – jokes work best when audiences are already familiar with the news item being referenced.
• Target news that is relevant to your particular audience and aligned with their interests/values.
• Use irony, hyperbole, sarcasm, and other comedic devices to twist the news story in an unexpected way.
• Punch up the language using vivid imagery, cultural references, and amusing hypotheticals.
• Impersonations or acting out scenarios from news stories in an exaggerated way can help sell the joke.

Newsy jokes may have a short shelf life, but they allow comedians to tap into the shared consciousness of current events. When done well, they can provide not only great laughs but also insightful cultural commentary woven into the humor. As long as the news cycle keeps churning, newsy jokes will never go out of style for late night monologues, sitcoms, and standup routines.

Roasting Jokes

Roasting jokes refer to a style of humor that involves mocking or making fun of someone in a comedic way. The intention is not to be cruel but rather to poke fun in a lighthearted manner, often between friends or colleagues who have a rapport with each other. Roasting jokes are considered one of the classic types of jokes and have been around for many years.

Characteristics of Roasting Jokes

Some key characteristics of roasting jokes include:

• Teasing or mocking someone’s personality or behavior
• Poking fun at someone’s appearance, habits, mannerisms, etc.
• Exaggerating or pointing out someone’s embarrassing or quirky traits
• Using hyperbole or over-the-top descriptions for comedic effect
• Employing sarcasm, irony and wit
• Making lighthearted jabs at someone’s weaknesses or faults
• Roasting oneself as a form of self-deprecating humor

The jokes generally focus on attributes or characteristics the person is already known for and can laugh at themselves over. There is often an element of truth at the core of the joke or exaggeration.

Contexts for Roasting Jokes

Some common contexts where roasting jokes are used include:

• Roasts – Events specifically meant for roasting someone, such as celebrity roasts on Comedy Central
• Among friends – Particularly close friends who regularly tease each other good-naturedly
• Within families – Family members roasting each other at gatherings or events
• Work colleagues – Co-workers ribbing each other in the office or at work parties
• Comedy and entertainment – Comedians using roasting jokes frequently in their stand-up routines

As long as the intention is humorous rather than mean-spirited, roasting jokes are considered socially acceptable in these contexts.

Types of Roasting Jokes

Some common types and styles of roasting jokes include:

• Observational humor – Making jokes based on quirky observations of someone’s habits or personality
• Exaggerations – Over-the-top descriptions of someone’s defining traits
• Irony – Using irony to point out the difference between how someone sees themselves and how the world sees them
• Self-deprecation – Making fun of one’s own flaws and quirks
• Impersonations – Mimicking someone’s tone, facial expressions, or body language for comedic effect
• Snarky quips – Short, sarcastic or cheeky comments poking fun at someone’s expense
• Banter – Witty back-and-forth exchanges teasing each other

Skilled roasters can take nearly any attribute or quirk and spin it into comedic gold with the right delivery and comedic timing.

Elements of a Good Roasting Joke

Some elements of an effective roasting joke include:

• Having an intimate knowledge of the person being roasted
• Picking attributes that the person is not likely to be truly offended or hurt by
• Exaggerating or embellishing those attributes in funny ways
• Using misdirection and surprise to catch the audience off guard
• Employing sarcasm, irony, hyperbole and wit
• Making the joke feel spontaneous rather than overly rehearsed
• Poking fun without being mean-spirited
• Maintaining a playful, lighthearted tone throughout

The closer the relationship between roaster and roastee, the more leeway there is to push the boundaries of the humor. But it still requires finesse and the jokes should never cross the line into outright insulting.

Roasting vs Bullying

While roasting has the intent of being funny and is done between those with a mutual understanding, bullying uses mockery to belittle and harm the target psychologically. Key differences include:

Roasting	Bullying
Lighthearted in tone	Mean-spirited in tone
Both parties find it funny	One party feels distressed
Focused on known traits	Attacks core self-esteem
Momentary	Repeated over time
Empowers target	Seeks to overpower target
Seen as social bonding	Intended to socially isolate target

So while roasting can appear similar to bullying on the surface, the context and intent set it apart as a unique comedic form when done right.

Roasting Ethics

When crafting roasting jokes, it’s important to follow certain ethical guidelines to avoid going too far and truly hurting someone emotionally. Some tips include:

• Know your audience and what topics they would be comfortable with
• Avoid jokes based on trauma, grief, sensitive areas without explicit permission
• Make sure the target feels empowered to laugh with you, not embarrassed or ashamed
• Stop immediately if someone becomes genuinely upset or offended
• Consider the power dynamics involved and avoid “punching down”
• Remember that roasting is meant to be an act of bonding and friendship

With the right rapport, roasting can be a highly enjoyable form of comedy and banter. But it requires thoughtfulness to avoid crossing lines and hurting feelings unintentionally.

Impression Jokes

Impression jokes involve mimicking the voice, mannerisms, facial expressions, and other characteristics of a well-known public figure. The comedian attempts to accurately recreate the impression of the celebrity in order to humorously exaggerate their words, gestures, or quirks. Impressionists utilize careful observation of their subject’s vocal tones, body language, and speech patterns in order to convincingly portray that person.

Some of the most popular celebrity impressions include:

• Arnold Schwarzenegger
• Donald Trump
• Barack Obama
• Kim Kardashian
• Jimmy Fallon impressions of various celebrities

A successful impression requires mastering the subject’s distinctive vocabulary and cadence. For example, Alec Baldwin mimics Donald Trump’s hand gestures, pursed lips, and unique speaking style when he portrays him on Saturday Night Live. He focuses on Trump’s manner of speech, using phrases like “it’s gonna be huge” and “it’s gonna be so great, you’re gonna get tired of how great it is.”

In addition to exact vocal and physical imitation, impressionists also exaggerate certain quirks or eccentricities of their subject for comedic effect. For instance, Dana Carvey exaggerated George H.W. Bush’s clipped New England accent and incorporation of invented words like “nahgahappen” when he portrayed the former president on SNL. Carvey highlighted these distinctive vocal patterns to poke fun at Bush’s speaking style.

There are two main methods used to perform impressions:

• Mimicry – The impressionist listens closely to the vocal inflections and speech patterns of the subject and works to precisely imitate their tone, rhythm, emphasis, and accent.
• Exaggeration – The impressionist identifies the most memorable traits of the subject’s appearance, voice, or mannerisms and then over-emphasizes those qualities to comedic effect.

Great impressionists utilize both techniques, carefully studying their subject to recreate their persona before accentuating certain eccentricities or quirks. Their effective use of satire, while still maintaining enough accuracy to be recognizable as that celebrity, is what elicits laughter from the audience.

Origins and History

Impressionists have been entertaining audiences for centuries, but celebrity impressions became more popular in 20th century American comedy. Vaudeville actors in the early 1900s started to incorporate impressions of famous people into their acts along with singing, dancing, and other skits. Comedians like Rich Little and Frank Gorshin became well-known for their wide repertoire of famous voices in the 50s/60s.

Impression comedy reached new heights starting in 1975 when Saturday Night Live launched. The sketch comedy show heavily utilized impressions, with Chevy Chase portraying a clumsy Gerald Ford and Dan Aykroyd mimicking Jimmy Carter. SNL helped catapult impressionists like Dana Carvey and Darrell Hammond to fame.

Some other noteworthy impressionists throughout history include:

• Vaughn Meader – His JFK impersonation album became a bestseller in the early 60s.
• David Frye – Known for impressions of Richard Nixon in the 60s/70s.
• Frank Caliendo – Appeared on MADtv doing impressions of Al Pacino and others.

The advent of widely available video recordings and YouTube has made it easier than ever for impressionists to reach an audience and demonstrate their mimicry abilities. The visual component takes their act to another level. Now anyone can study their favorite celebrity and create viral impression videos online.

Key Elements of a Good Impression

Certain skills are required in order to master the art of impressions:

• Keen observational skills – Analyzing subtle vocal tones, physical gestures, and language patterns.
• Listening skills – Carefully listening to the subject’s voice to identify distinctive elements.
• Memory skills – Retaining the subject’s mannerisms and speech quirks.
• Imitation skills – Mimicking the subject precisely using your voice, body language, and facial expressions.
• Comic timing – Knowing when to emphasizing a gesture or phrase for comedic impact.

A talented impressionist combines their observational skills with their own comedic sensibilities to recreate the celebrity in a humorous, exaggerated way. Catchphrases, physical mannerisms, and other identifiable characteristics of the subject are exploited for parody.

In summary, impression jokes allow comedians to temporarily transform into a widely recognized public figure. Mastering the person’s voice, accent, vocabulary, posture, and gestures allows the impressionist to elicit laughs by satirizing their most amusing traits and quirks. It is an entertaining form of comedy that pokes fun at the rich and famous.