Saturday, April 11, 2015

Jocularity and Jokes

Jokes can be jocular, and many people do find them amusing. However, I am a Square Peg and I am here to confess that, generally speaking, I do not find jokes funny. I do have a sense of humour, but I just don't usually laugh at jokes. Even if I think it's a funny joke, and that is rare regardless of how well told the joke is, the best response I can muster is a smile. And truth be told, that smile is often only a courtesy smile.

What do I find funny? Before I stun you with revelations about what makes me laugh, I must share with you a story from the Aboriginal Dreamtime about the great frog, Tiddalik who was so thirsty one morning that he drank all the water in the world and caused a global drought. All the animals got together to discuss how to solve the problem. Wise old Wombat suggested that if Tiddalik could be made to laugh, then he would spew out all the water he had consumed. 

They all had a crack at cracking Tiddalik, including Kookaburra who told him a joke, but all of them failed. Finally it was Nabunum the Eel who, with a crazy, contorted dance caused the great Frog to burst out in laughter, and thus gushed forth all the water he had consumed to replenish the land. read the full story here

What makes me laugh? Things that I find funny. Whata surprise! And there a lots of them, just not jokes.

A challenge then to visitors and regulars alike: tell me a joke and make me laugh. Keep them clean please. Anything which offends me will be deleted. (After all, it's my blog.)

Photo sources:
http://museumvictoria.com.au/about/media-centre/media-releases/archive/leap-into-melbourne-museum
http://rosnay.com.au/laughter-is-the-best-medicine-after-organic-wine/

7 comments:

  1. Jokes are as subject to the subjectivity of taste as any other form of communication. Then again, in my case, a lot of jokes simply go right over my head.

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    Replies
    1. Highly subjective, that's right. Sometimes, I just laugh at things which would not ordinarily amuse me, simply because I feel like laughing.

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  2. I've actually heard this story before! Nice way to talk about jokes. Lisa, co-host AtoZ 2015, @ http://www.lisabuiecollard.com

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  3. It's one of the most popular and widely told tales of the Aboriginal dream time. Thanks for visiting Square Pegs and taking the time to comment.

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  4. What words make you laugh when you hear them... one of mine was and has been "Jabberwonky", when I was a kid I always this instead of "Jabberwocky".... I mention it cause it's a "J" letter and about a sort of humor.

    Jeremy [Retro]
    AtoZ Challenge Co-Host [2015]

    There's no earthly way of knowing.
    Which direction we are going!

    HOLLYWOOD NUTS!
    Come Visit: You know you want to know if me or Hollywood... is Nuts?

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  5. When I was a kid, I used to collect jokes in a notebook. I think I still have the notebook.

    I enjoy making jokes about people I like, such as my geologist colleagues (I'm geophysicist) , and our neighbors (the Swedes)-

    Cold As Heaven

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  6. Oh, I don't dare. I've been told by my family I can't tell jokes. My best jokes have happened completely by accident....
    Inventions by Women A-Z
    Shells–Tales–Sails

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