# What are Dad Jokes? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 26, 2024, 9:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-dad-jokes/1012178 "2024-12-26T09:36:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Kelby2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ebca7d/32.png) [@Kelby2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kelby2)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2024, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-dad-jokes/1012178/21 "2024-12-26T16:49:48Z")
I make them because I love to see my daughter’s eyes roll back in her head. Christmas Eve my son-in-law asked if I wanted some lefse. “No”, I replied, “But I’ll have some rightsa.” My Dad jokes have now graduated to granddad jokes. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2024, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-dad-jokes/1012178/22 "2024-12-26T16:54:14Z")
> [@a6ka97](#): > > What type of mexican food do snowmen like? > > Brrr-ritos > > This is a dad joke. Corny, funny the first time, non-offensive. I dunno; in the US, brrr-ritos are more likely to be wheaty than corny. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2024, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-dad-jokes/1012178/23 "2024-12-26T16:56:51Z")
They’re going to be jokes with punchlines children can understand. Largely they’re simple puns. Often a question asked with a straight face so a child, or even an adult doesn’t realize it’s a joke until they hear the punchline. Dad jokes usually make children laugh, until they turn into teenagers and then sigh like [Kip on Futurama](https://youtu.be/fjZ9gaATWfA?si=6H2y9EYjoDbH7TQs). Younger children may enjoy hearing them over and over again just to have the opportunity to laugh. ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2024, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-dad-jokes/1012178/24 "2024-12-26T16:58:41Z")
If you tell enough dad jokes, they’ll never believe when you are telling the truth, which can be entertaining. Especially when money is on the line. Is calling out “Hey!” whenever you see a hay truck on the road a dad joke? ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2024, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-dad-jokes/1012178/25 "2024-12-26T17:05:06Z")
> [@snowthx](#): > > If you tell enough dad jokes, they’ll never believe when you are telling the truth, which can be entertaining. Especially when money is on the line. > > Is calling out “Hey!” whenever you see a hay truck on the road a dad joke? - Is a lump of hay outside a church Christian Bale? ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2024, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-dad-jokes/1012178/26 "2024-12-26T17:12:48Z")
On usages I’ve encountered (IRL and online), it seems there are (at least) three kinds of jokes that are sometimes labeled as “Dad jokes”: dumb puns (and other corny crap); and, what I see as smart jokes — often, they depend on a clever turn of phrase, and can sometimes require some knowledge of math, or language, or logic, etc. Many of the latter type are a kind of joke that gained popularity a few years ago: taking some common English phrase, and adding a punch line that subverts the semantics (e.g., by taking its meaning literally). Jack Handey and Emo Phillips were progenitors of this type of joke, decades ago. Perhaps there are two kinds of dads, each associated with one of these categories (dumb/corny vs. clever/semantic subversion). I can see how some might find the latter category corny, as well. Case in point: # I just finished writing my book on penguins. My publisher said it would’ve been better if I’d written it on paper. ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2024, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-dad-jokes/1012178/27 "2024-12-26T17:31:37Z")
This 2 minute clip clears it up. Dad jokes are nothing to laugh about. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/__DApLNFJlw/maxresdefault.jpg "Dad Joke Survivors") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__DApLNFJlw) The sandwich girl needs an award for what she says with her eyes. Off camera: “And what did your dad say?” Lol. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2024, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-dad-jokes/1012178/28 "2024-12-26T17:36:08Z")
> [@jnglmassiv](#): > > This 2 minute clip clears it up. > Dad jokes are nothing to laugh about. > > [https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=\_\_DApLNFJlw](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=__DApLNFJlw) > > The sandwich girl needs an award for what she says with her eyes. > > Off camera: “And what did your dad say?” > Lol. - However, her attitude shows she was well-bred. ---
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2024, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-dad-jokes/1012178/29 "2024-12-26T17:40:12Z")
[https://dadjokegenerator.com/](https://dadjokegenerator.com/) Keep em coming back for snores ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2024, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-dad-jokes/1012178/30 "2024-12-26T17:43:58Z")
> [@chela](#): > > [https://dadjokegenerator.com/](https://dadjokegenerator.com/) > > Keep em coming back for snores - Did you know Oliver Twist was a Cub Scout? “Please, sir. I want s’mores?” ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2024, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-dad-jokes/1012178/31 "2024-12-26T19:54:49Z")
> [@Irishman](#): > > But not long drawn out. Certainly nothing as drawn out as a proper shaggy dog story, but the setup for a dad joke is often tortured and over-explained, in order for the pun to land. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2024, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-dad-jokes/1012178/32 "2024-12-26T19:59:02Z")
> [@HMS\_Irruncible](#): > > Dad jokes exist because we want to make our children laugh, but most of our material is entirely unsuitable for that, so we create jokes that are safe, trite, and easily accessible. But even then, it seems pretty dull. There is plenty of humorous material that is 100% clean and suitable for kids, but would be considerably funnier than the average dad joke. ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2024, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-dad-jokes/1012178/33 "2024-12-26T20:00:54Z")
Seasonal visual dad joke. [![](https://scontent.flaf1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/469034673_10236861000524431_370640888419284389_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=aa7b47&_nc_ohc=VXceNvKpYYsQ7kNvgG6eG7F&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent.flaf1-1.fna&_nc_gid=ATbndFRHK6NYb4fcY3iFEBU&oh=00_AYDQw47kzMQIl2Fw6an_7t_whI7Ytn9GPd7PmSHEKw4srA&oe=67738E7A) ](https://scontent.flaf1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/469034673_10236861000524431_370640888419284389_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=aa7b47&_nc_ohc=VXceNvKpYYsQ7kNvgG6eG7F&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent.flaf1-1.fna&_nc_gid=ATbndFRHK6NYb4fcY3iFEBU&oh=00_AYDQw47kzMQIl2Fw6an_7t_whI7Ytn9GPd7PmSHEKw4srA&oe=67738E7A) ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2024, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-dad-jokes/1012178/34 "2024-12-26T22:19:38Z")
More moderating: Hey my apologies, we cleaned up the rules a little while ago, and no longer say anything explicit about “just Google it”. However, we do have a rule against “threadshitting”, which was the purpose of the injunction not to tell other posters, “just Google it”: **Threadshitting.** Do not post in a thread for the sole purpose of disparaging the topic or the posters (“threadshitting”). If you want to have a discussion on a topic more to your liking, start a new thread. Sorry to interrupt again with moderation. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2024, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-dad-jokes/1012178/35 "2024-12-26T23:34:10Z")
> [@snowthx](#): > > Is calling out “Hey!” whenever you see a hay truck on the road a dad joke? My dad’s stock response to “Hey!” was always “Hay is for horses but oats taste better”. ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2024, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-dad-jokes/1012178/36 "2024-12-27T00:08:09Z")
That’s what she said! ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2024, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-dad-jokes/1012178/37 "2024-12-27T00:17:33Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > My dad’s stock response to “Hey!” was always “Hay is for horses but oats taste better”. - What does a hall taste like? ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2024, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-dad-jokes/1012178/38 "2024-12-27T00:41:01Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > There is plenty of humorous material that is 100% clean and suitable for kids, but would be considerably funnier than the average dad joke. You’re right there is such material. But did your Dad, or the neighbor’s Dad, know any of it? Part of the “charm” of Dad jokes is so many of them are self-made and reflect the humor of the Dad in question. And let’s face it, very very few people, Dads or otherwise, are all that creatively funny or funnily creative. “The lame is strong in that one” would be a more apt description. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2024, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-dad-jokes/1012178/39 "2024-12-27T00:44:06Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > My dad’s stock response to “Hey!” was always “Hay is for horses but oats taste better” Hay is for horses Water’s for lakes God made you We all make mistakes ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2024, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-dad-jokes/1012178/40 "2024-12-27T00:47:46Z")
> [@Railer13](#): > > On most of the occasions when we drove over a railroad crossing, my dad would say something like “You can tell that a train came through here, because you can see its tracks.” (I will confess that I said the same thing to my kids, more than once.) I suspect this is part of the definition: jokes that a dad tells and retells till the kids roll their eyes, but said kids will then tell and retell the same jokes to their own kids. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-dad-jokes/1012178.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-dad-jokes/1012178.md?page=3)