The evolution of jokes

Jokes have existed ever since civilisation began running its course. It has developed at its own pace and has taken various forms over the years alongside our own evolution. To shed further light on this phenomenon, this article focuses on its various types and origins, which have come to existence over the course of time.

KNOCK KNOCK JOKES

This oldie can be traced back to centuries with its oldest known form being "Do you know?" jokes. These however morphed into "nifties" and returned as its most popular form "knock knock" jokes in the mid-1930s. More popular among kids, there still prevails the ongoing feud of whether these jokes are actually funny or not. 

BAR JOKES

A guy walks into a bar. What do you do? Take him to the hospital. Ba-dum-tsss.

These have been wildly popularised in publications such as Readers' Digest and other magazines, some even with special bar joke columns. With the first bar joke being published in the 50s, it has taken many forms over the years.

STEREOTYPING JOKES

Usually the results of people finding comfort in being able to associate certain characteristics with certain people, stereotyping has left a mark on jokes worldwide. No matter how bad this culture may be, it has created chances for many jokes such as the dumb blonde jokes, Asian jokes and even our country's beloved Noakhali er manush jokes to exist.

PARODIES

These date back to ancient Greece; the first ever English parody publication occurring in the 1500s. Often considered to be a literary art form as well, some of the most famous modern parodies are movies like The Scary Movie, music made by The Chipmunks and popular late night shows such as Saturday Night Live.

PUNS

The early pun-makers, referred to as pundits, date back to the 1600s. Since then its popularity has climbed to such extents that actual "pun-off" championships have been organised and greatly anticipated. With its ever growing traction, it has become widely loved with the exception of periodic cringe fests whenever someone uses the phrase "pun intended" at the end of such a joke.

MEMES

Memes, although first mentioned in the 1940s, have gained excessive popularity in the form of internet memes ever since social media became a worldwide phenomenon. Now, internet memes have taken countless variant forms and are literally everywhere.

As a whole, although jokes have evolved and taken up different forms over the years, the purpose of it has remained constant -- to make people laugh. As this ever growing phenomenon continues to flourish, one form after another, we should sit back and enjoy their existence because for all we know, what is this world without a sense of humour?