Joke Glossary
Here are some of the building blocks and types of jokes you’ll encounter:
- Punchline: This is the climax of a joke, the unexpected twist or humorous conclusion that makes you laugh. It’s the essential element that ties everything together. Without a punchline, it’s just a story.
- Setup: The introductory part of a joke that provides the necessary context and builds anticipation for the punchline. It often presents a seemingly normal or relatable scenario that then gets subverted.
- One-Liner: A joke that’s typically very short and delivers its humor in a single sentence or a very brief exchange. The setup is minimal, and the punchline arrives quickly.
- Example: “I used to be a baker, but I couldn’t make enough dough.”
- Pun: A joke that exploits the different possible meanings of a word or the fact that there are words that sound alike but have different meanings. Puns rely on wordplay.
- Example: “Why did the bicycle fall over? Because it was two tired.”
- Observational Humor: Jokes that find humor in everyday life and common experiences. They often point out the absurdities or ironies of situations that many people can relate to.
- Example: “Have you ever noticed how people who are always late have the most elaborate excuses?”
- Self-Deprecating Humor: Humor that involves making fun of oneself. It can be a way to show humility, connect with an audience, or diffuse tension.
- Example: “My doctor told me I needed to start exercising more. I told him I’m already stretching the truth every day.”
- Sarcasm: The use of ironic language to mock or convey contempt. While often humorous, it can also be cutting or biting. Sarcasm is usually conveyed through tone of voice.
- Example: “Oh, great, another Monday! Just what I always wanted.” (said unenthusiastically)
- Satire: A form of humor that uses irony, sarcasm, ridicule, or the like, to expose, denounce, or deride vice, folly, etc. It often comments on social, political, or moral issues with the intent to provoke change.
- Example: Political cartoons that exaggerate politicians’ features or actions to make a point.
- Slapstick: A type of physical comedy that relies on exaggerated movements, pratfalls, and often intentional collisions for humorous effect. It’s humor that doesn’t rely on words.
- Example: A character slipping on a banana peel or accidentally hitting another character with a prop.
- Dark Humor (or Black Humor): Humor that makes light of subjects that are generally considered serious, painful, or taboo, such as death, illness, or war. It can be controversial but is often used as a coping mechanism.
- Example: “My grandpa says he loves modern art. He says it reminds him of his x-rays.”
- Running Gag: A repeated joke or recurring element within a story, show, or series of jokes. Its humor often comes from the audience’s recognition and anticipation of its reappearance.
- Dad Joke: A pun-based or very simple, often corny, joke that is typically delivered by fathers, characterized by their innocent and sometimes groan-inducing quality.
- Example: “What do you call a fish with no eyes? Fsh!”
