National Tell A Joke Day

Young man telling a joke to a group of people, wearing a colorful shirt, outdoor park setting, surrounded by laughter and smiles.. — National tell a joke day illustration

It's time to prepare your funniest punchlines and polish up your puns, for it's National Tell a Joke Day! This is the day when dad jokes reach their peak and bathroom humor wins the conversation. Riding with us on this laughter-soaked journey might just make your day a little brighter!

When is Tell A Joke Day?

It's national tell a joke day on the 16th August.

Origins of National Tell a Joke Day

What's the one thing we all wish for in life? That's right, a good laugh. The origins of National Tell a Joke Day are a bit murky, much like a knock knock joke you can't quite remember the punchline for... There’s a strong case to believe it started amongst communities online, with folks wanting to spread just a little bit more joy and laughter in the world.

The Growth of National Tell a Joke Day

We detected 11572 mentions of National Tell a joke day in various internet channels - that's a lot of laughing! The most mentions were on 16th August 2019. The interwebs just couldn't help but chuckle, giggle, and bust their bellies in laughter. A plethora of funny one-liners, belly-aching stand-up routines and simple silly jokes spread like wildfire on this wonderful day, enticing smiles from all corners of the globe.

Why we Love National Tell a Joke Day

Who doesn't love a good chuckle? Not just a source of fun, but laughter also has many health benefits - from stress-buster, releasing endorphins, to even burning calories! National Tell a Joke Day encourages schoolyards, workplaces, homes and everywhere else in between, to become stages for uproaring laughter. Regardless if you're a seasoned stand-up comedian, or your humor is basically 'dad jokes', this is a day you can't sit back!

How to celebrate National Tell a Joke Day

A knock, knock joke, a one-liner, a pun or maybe a riddle? All are fair game on National Tell a Joke Day. Gather up your friends, family, or colleagues and exchange your favorite jokes. Don't forget to share some humor on your social media feeds too – let’s face it, we could all do with a little more joy in our timelines!

History behind the term 'Tell A Joke'

1600s

Humor in Early Literature

During the 1600s, humor began to gain popularity in early Western literature. Writers and playwrights started incorporating jokes and comedic elements into their works, reflecting the growing interest in humor as a form of entertainment.

18th Century

Joke Books Emerge

In the 18th century, the first joke books were published. These books contained collections of humorous anecdotes, puns, and one-liners that people could read and share with others. This marked the formalization of jokes as a distinct form of entertainment in written form.

19th Century

Stand-Up Comedy and Vaudeville

As the 19th century arrived, stand-up comedy became popular on stage. Comedians would perform live shows, sharing jokes, stories, and humorous observations with their audience. Vaudeville, a type of live variety entertainment popular during this period, also featured comedic acts where jokes were an essential component of the performance.

20th Century

Jokes in Film and Television

In the 20th century, with the rise of film and television, jokes gained further prominence. Comedic actors and comedians began delivering jokes to a much larger audience through movies and TV shows. This helped to popularize the phrase 'tell a joke' as an expression used when sharing a funny anecdote or humorous remark.

Present Day

Jokes in the Digital Age

In the present day, jokes have proliferated across various digital platforms. The advent of the internet and social media has made it easier than ever to share and spread jokes globally. Online communities dedicated to humor have emerged, allowing people to connect and enjoy jokes from different cultures and linguistic backgrounds.

Did you know?

Did you know that the world's oldest recorded joke is an antique... literally. It’s a Sumerian proverb from 1900 BC: 'Something which has never occurred since time immemorial; a young woman did not fart in her husband's lap.' It seems bathroom humor has some deep historical roots!