jokes

Jokes are short, structured forms of humor designed to provoke laughter. They usually consist of a setup that presents information and a punchline that subverts expectations. Jokes rely on linguistic devices such as wordplay, ambiguity, or a twist in meaning, and they are often crafted for quick delivery and easy sharing across audiences.

Common formats include one-liners, knock-knock jokes, puns, shaggy-dog stories, and observational humor. Many jokes draw on cultural references or shared experiences. Delivery, timing, and context strongly influence how well a joke lands, and the same joke can succeed with one group and fail with another.

Humor theories explain why jokes work. Incongruity theory posits that humor arises when an outcome contradicts expectation. Relief theory views laughter as a release of psychological tension. Superiority theory suggests humor comes from feeling of triumph over others or over a difficult situation. Effective jokecraft often combines wordplay with a surprising turn.

History and culture: references to humor appear in ancient literature and folklore, with jokes transmitted through oral tradition and later print. In modern media, stand-up, television, comic strips, and online memes spread jokes rapidly and widely. Cultural norms shape what is considered acceptable, and jokes that rely on stereotypes can reinforce harm or prejudice.