What makes a classic dad joke? Some might say one that’s fundamentally unfunny. But we have more appetite than you’d expect for the cringe.
Ahead of National Tell-A-Joke day on August 16, Moonpig has surveyed the nation on our true feelings about dad jokes – as well finding the ones that actually land. It turns out that dad jokes make a lot of us warm and fuzzy with nostalgia and some even manage to make us laugh, rather than groan.
Almost half (49%) of those surveyed said they find dad jokes funny – not so bad, then – although the older you are, the less likely you are to find your own dad funny. Surprisingly, 64% of Gen Z say their dad makes them laugh, compared to 36% of those over 55.
As to which city takes the dad joke crown, the fathers of Liverpool are funniest (or at least have the most appreciative audiences), followed by Cardiff and Birmingham in the top three. And when it comes to low tolerance, neither Norwich or Brighton has much time for dad jokes, calling them “annoying” or even “disgusting”.
Of course, we all know the obviousness of the punchline is what makes a dad gag iconic, nor does a good(/bad) pun go amiss, which may explain why so many old classics make the following list of the nation’s favourites.
1) What do you call a boomerang that doesn’t come back?
A stick.
2) Why do Dads take an extra pair of socks when they go golfing?
In case they get a hole in one.
3) What’s the best time to go to the dentist?
Tooth-Hurty.
4) A ham sandwich walks into a bar and orders a beer.
The bartender says, “sorry we don’t serve food here.”
5) What did the ocean say to the beach?
“Nothing, it just waved.”
6) “Dad, did you get a haircut?”
“No, I got them all cut.”
7) My wife asked me to stop singing ‘Wonderwall’ to her.
I said, “Maybe…”.
8) What is brown and sticky?
A stick.
9) I slept like a log last night.
Woke up in the fireplace!
10) I used to hate facial hair.
Then it grew on me.