Going Out with Fruit

Posted on January 11, 2015 by stfleming

Q: Why did the raisin go out with the prune?
A: He couldn’t get a date!

Explanation:  Raisins are dried grapes.  Prunes are dried plums. Dates are just dates.  All three are fruits.

In this joke “to go out with” means to date someone, that is, to begin a romantic relationship.  Couples might go out on a date to a movie or go out for dinner on a date.  (Date also means the day, month and year: today’s date is Sunday, January 11, 2015… English can be confusing.)

This joke is funny because it plays on the multiple meanings of the word date.  The raisin went out on a date with the prune because he couldn’t get a date (an evening out with someone special) with a date (the fruit).

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Gnomes and Elves

Posted on December 27, 2014 by stfleming

Q: What do Santa’s elves do after school?
A: Their gnomework!

Explanation:  Gnome rhymes with home.  After school most students do homework; elves do “gnomework.”  This is funny because elves and gnomes are both magical creatures and because of the rhyme.

If they do their gnomework they will get smarter; hard work = more smarts!

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Drum Beat

Posted on December 25, 2014 by stfleming

Q: What is the best Christmas present ever?
A: A broken drum- you can’t beat it!

Explanation:  Merry Christmas and feliz navidad!

Christmas is celebrated by Christians on December 25; it celebrates the birth of Jesus.  In order to commemorate that day many people give gifts just as the magi gave presents to the baby Jesus.  (Comments about the way the holiday has been commercialized will not be addressed here.)

Children may be given a toy drum as a gift for Christmas.  Of course if the drum is broken you cannot play it; to play a drum is to beat a drum.  Therefore, a broken drum cannot be beaten.

The phrase “you can’t beat it” means that there is nothing better.  If a toy drum can’t be beaten then there is nothing better.  This joke plays on the double meaning in the joke of “it can’t be beaten.”

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Fish Talk

Posted on September 25, 2014 by stfleming

Q: What is the best way to communicate with a fish?
A: Drop it a line!

Explanation:  When you go fishing you drop a line in the water to catch a fish.  To “drop someone a line” means to send a short letter, send a note.  I suppose now it could even mean to send someone a text message  (I never did learn the difference between a text message and an SMS).

This joke plays on the double meaning of “drop a line.”

If you have a joke that you would like explained, well, drop me a line!

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Funlessness

Posted on September 17, 2014 by stfleming

Q: What do you call a pig that is no fun to be around?
A: A boar!

Explanation:  A boring pig, that is.  There are several names for swine in English including pig, hog and boar.  And then when we eat pig it can be called bacon, ham, pork chop, …  Who knew the pig produced so much vocabulary?!?!

If you are a bore, you are no fun to be around, not interesting.  This joke plays on the word bore/boar which sound the same.  The word bore can also mean to make a hole.  I hope I am not boring you (being not interesting)!

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Ruff Stuff

Posted on September 10, 2014 by stfleming

Q: What did the dog say when he rubbed sandpaper on his tail?
A: Rough, rough!

Explanation:  Another wonderful, classic dog joke!  Sandpaper is rough, it is used to make things smooth.  In English, when a dog barks it says, “Ruff.”  This joke is funny because it plays with two words that sound the same, ruff and rough.

Rough, by the way, can also mean difficult:  I had a rough day.

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Pasta Party!

Posted on September 3, 2014 by stfleming

Q: Where did the spaghetti and the sauce go to dance?
A: The meatball!

Explanation:  I love spaghetti!  Grandma used to make the best spaghetti and meatballs.  A meat ball is a ball of meat, often found on top of spaghetti.  A “ball” can also be a dance (see the Cinderella joke).  This joke plays with the word ball/meatball and is kind of, sort of funny.  Thanks Daniel!

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Lemonade, anyone?

Posted on September 1, 2014 by stfleming

Q: Where did the baseball keep its lemonade?
A: In the pitcher!

Explanation:  It is the end of summer, the end days of baseball and lemonade.  School starts tomorrow (and as a teacher I love that!).

The word pitcher has two meanings: a pitcher is a container used to serve drinks; a pitcher is the person on the baseball team who throws the ball toward the bater at home plate (isn’t Mo’ne Davis amazing!).  This joke is funny because it plays on the double meaning of the word pitcher.

Thank you, Daniel, for the joke!!

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Stadium Lights

Posted on August 17, 2014 by stfleming

Q: What lights up a soccer stadium?
A: A soccer match!

Explanation:  I love soccer so, another soccer joke (I could have said football or fútbol).

A “soccer match” is a soccer game.  A match is a contest between two teams.  A match is also a small stick that is used to start a fire.  (And this reminds me of the story To Build a Fire by Jack London, and The Little Match Girl by Hans Christian Anderson.  Good stories!)

This joke is funny because of the double meaning of the word “match.”

Happy birthday to Ángel!

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Pig Ball

Posted on August 7, 2014 by stfleming

Q: Why are pigs so bad at soccer?
A: They are always hogging the ball!

Explanation:  To “hog the ball” means to keep the ball to yourself and not pass the ball.  A good soccer player looks to his or her teammates to see who has the best chance to advance the ball toward the goal; a good soccer player does not hog the ball.

This joke is funny because another word for a pig is a hog

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