The History of Dad Jokes: From Ancient Times to Modern Day (Plus 30 Jokes!)

Are you one of those people who cringes when your dad tells a joke that's so bad it's actually funny? Well, you're not alone. Dad jokes have been around for centuries, and they've been causing eye rolls and chuckles for just as long. Let's take a journey through the history of dad jokes and discover how they've evolved over time.

The Early Days of Dad Jokes

Believe it or not, dad jokes date back to ancient civilizations. The Greeks and Romans loved to tell silly jokes and puns, many of which would be considered dad jokes by today's standards. For example, the famous philosopher Plato once said, "A good decision is based on knowledge and not on numbers." To which his friend replied, "But if we're voting on where to go for lunch, I'm still picking McDonald's."  (Disclaimer:  Probably not an accurate quote.)

In the Middle Ages, jesters and minstrels would entertain kings and nobles with jokes and riddles. Many of these were dad jokes, designed to be silly and lighthearted. For example, "Why did the chicken cross the road? To get to the other side!" may seem like a modern joke, but it has been around for hundreds of years.

The Rise of Modern Dad Jokes

In the 20th century, dad jokes really started to take off. With the rise of radio and television, comedians like Bob Hope and Milton Berle became famous for their cheesy one-liners and puns. Many of these jokes were simple and predictable, but they always got a laugh.

The term "dad joke" itself didn't become popular until the 1980s. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the first recorded use of the term was in a 1987 article in the Chicago Tribune. The article described dad jokes as "unfashionable, uncool, and somewhat embarrassing."

In the 21st century, dad jokes have become a cultural phenomenon. They've been the subject of countless memes and viral videos, and they even have their own holiday (National Tell a Joke Day, which is celebrated on August 16th). But why are dad jokes so popular?

The Psychology of Dad Jokes

There's no denying that dad jokes are cheesy and predictable. But that's exactly why they're so popular. According to psychologists, dad jokes work because they're "benign violations." They violate our expectations in a harmless way, which makes us laugh.

In addition, dad jokes are a way for fathers (and other authority figures) to bond with their children. They're a way of saying, "I'm not just your dad, I'm also a person with a sense of humor."

Here are 30 jokes to get you started - use at your own risk!

1. Did you hear about the kidnapping at the playground? He woke up.
2. I told my wife she was drawing her eyebrows too high. She looked surprised.
3. Why don't scientists trust atoms? Because they make up everything.
4. I'm reading a book on anti-gravity. It's impossible to put down.
5. Did you hear about the restaurant called Karma? There's no menu, you get what you deserve.
6. I'm on a whiskey diet. I've lost three days already.
7. Why don't eggs tell jokes? Because they'd crack each other up.
8. What did the janitor say when he jumped out of the closet? "Supplies!"
9. I used to play piano by ear, but now I use my hands.
10. I'm trying to organize a hide and seek competition, but it's really hard to find good players.
11. Why did the bicycle fall over? Because it was two-tired.
12. I'm addicted to brake fluid, but I can stop anytime.
13. Why did the tomato turn red? Because it saw the salad dressing.
14. I told my wife she was drawing her eyebrows too low. She looked surprised.
15. What do you call fake spaghetti? An impasta.
16. What do you call a snobbish criminal going down stairs? A condescending con descending.
17. I'm so good at sleeping, I can do it with my eyes closed.
18. What do you call a man with no arms and no legs in the water? Bob.
19. I'm reading a book on teleportation. It's bound to take me places.
20. Why did the chicken cross the playground? To get to the other slide.
21. What do you call a can opener that doesn't work? A can't opener.
22. What do you call a group of cows playing instruments? A moo-sical band.
23. I told my wife she was drawing her eyebrows too high. She looked surprised.
24. Why do seagulls fly over the sea? Because if they flew over the bay, they'd be bagels.
25. Why did the scarecrow win an award? Because he was outstanding in his field.
26. Why couldn't the bicycle stand up by itself? Because it was two-tired.
27. What's the best thing about Switzerland? I don't know, but the flag is a big plus.
28. I'm a big fan of whiteboards. They're re-markable.
29. Why did the coffee file a police report? Because it got mugged.
30. I told my wife she was drawing her eyebrows too low. She looked surprised.