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

[simont]

I agree, but I think I'd go even further. A dad joke is a joke so bad that even the child you intended to amuse is likely to roll their eyes with an air of "Don't try that five-year-old stuff on me, I'm six."

[skington]

One theory I saw ages ago was that every guy wants to tell Dad jokes, but only once they’re actually safely married and in no danger of scaring potential eligible partners away can they safely tell them. This fits with your framing of Dad jokes as being the absolute worst of jokes.

So dropping a witty quip during conversation: fine, perfectly reasonable behaviour, will get you pluses. Saying things like “I say, I say, I say: how do you measure how powerful a pun is? With a seismograph!!1!” has everyone groaning, throwing things at you, to be avoided if you’re not already safely attached. (The post in question was actually tagged #DadJoke, which was a nice bonus that proves my point nicely.)

[channelpenguin]

I'm not keen on puns, especially the ones that are really tenuous or rely on extremely exaggerated pronunciation/incorrect word stresses. Which is most of them, I guess.

So. Grounds for divorce, if a hubby started to pull them out after we were safely married!

I had honestly never heard of the view that only puns could be Dad jokes. I thought just any really terrible, simple and not funny joke could count.

[channelpenguin]

I can't tell jokes. I don't tell jokes. I frequently miss when others are telling jokes. My dad would have had a hard time. (I'm also not ticklish).

(OT: I am, however "extremely funny". Officially. It's actually in my annual review at work from last year. I don't know if it works on kids too, or just German computer geeks.)

[bens_dad]

Are "Dad jokes" the same as "Uncle jokes" ?
Are they the joke equivalent of "Dad dancing" ?

[splodgenoodles]

I get annoyed by the term because I'm a woman who makes terrible jokes.

[reverancepavane]

I'd tell you a dad joke, except I'm not a dad. That would be a faux pa.