Dad jokes are those funny puns and one-liners that fathers tell (and the rest of us groan over). The best dad jokes can be silly, child friendly, and a little cheesy. They’re a great way to share some laughs with the kids, and can help them develop their sense of humor.
While some dad jokes might be a little sexist or offensive, most of them are not. In fact, most of the best dad jokes are just plain old fashioned puns that happen to be funny. Unlike many puns, however, dad jokes do not violate any other linguistic or social norms. A sexist pun might violate the linguistic norm of ambiguity, but a sexual pun might also violate a social norm of appropriateness. Dad jokes are, in contrast, pure, terminally inoffensive puns that can be shared around the family.
It is not surprising that dad jokes have become popular amongst the general public. They are a perfect antidote to the overly seriousness of modern life. They are also a good way for parents to get the children to laugh and bond with each other. And, as a bonus, they can be used to help the kids practice their memorization skills and delivery of jokes. Jay K. Payleitner is a dad, author, speaker, and marketing consultant. He lives in Illinois with his wife and five children. He is the author of the book 52 Things Kids Need from their Dad and writes regularly for several online publications about parenting and fatherhood.
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