Dad jokes: A linguistic annoyance

[andrewducker]

A random thing that annoys me: People referring to all puns as "Dad jokes".

Now, nearly all dad jokes are puns, but (for me) puns are only dad jokes if they are specifically the kind that are aimed at kids (like the "Hi, XXX, I'm Dad" subtype), ones where the topic is associated with your kids, or ones which are so basic that only kids are taken in by the misdirection/misunderstanding in them.

I've been a lover of puns since looooong before I was a dad, disliked the association some people made then, and I haven't warmed to it since becoming a dad.

So, for me:
Pun = deliberate misunderstandings or confusions for humorous effect.
Dad joke = jokes aimed children. Usually puns (as they're simple enough to be told to kids). Usually by their dads, but many mums also enjoy torturing their kids, and other associated adults may also join in the fun.

Comments

[andrewducker]

Oh yes. You're generally trying to annoy your child, not make them laugh.

(Sophia doesn't really get jokes yet. Very occasionally there will be one that makes her laugh. And she's fascinated by knock-knock jokes, will make me tell her dozens that I have to go and look up online for her. But she totally doesn't understand how they work and she can't tell them except for a couple she's memorised.)

[skington]

Knock knock.
Who’s there?
Dishwasher.
Dishwasher who?
Dishwasher the way I shpoke before I got my falsh teeth.

[andrewducker]

That actually made me giggle.

[armiphlage]

A kid joke is immature.
A dad joke is full groan.

[moniqueleigh]

Ooo! I quite like that.