I said I had, but it wasn't as much fun as feeling my girlfriend
Okay, here’s a “Joke Poo” version of the joke, titled “App Tester Blues”:
Joke Poo: App Tester Blues
My boss asked me if I’ve been testing myself enough lately.
I said I had, but it wasn’t nearly as frustrating as testing this new dating app.
Okay, let’s dissect this joke:
Original Joke Breakdown:
- Core Element: The humor lies in the double entendre of “feeling yourself.” The doctor’s question is clearly about emotional well-being (or perhaps physical health in a more clinical sense, leading to a medical double entendre), while the response interprets it as self-pleasure.
- Target: The target is the speaker and their (hopefully) playful misunderstanding or deliberate misinterpretation. It also lightly pokes fun at the doctor’s potentially vague phrasing.
- Mechanism: The joke uses surprise and incongruity. We expect a serious or reflective answer, but we get a cheeky, suggestive one.
- Tone: The tone is light, playful, and a bit raunchy.
Enrichment Attempt 1: A “Did You Know?” Enhancement
“Did you know that the phrase ‘feeling yourself’ as it relates to self-confidence and well-being actually predates its more… tactile interpretation by centuries? In Shakespeare’s Henry VI, Part 3, the Duke of Gloucester says, ‘I feel myself a man again!’ He was probably just happy to have a good cup of mead. Though, knowing the Elizabethan era, there might have been some subtext we’re missing…”
- Humor Style: This uses historical context to add a layer of irony. The contrast between Shakespearean times and the modern understanding of the phrase is funny.
- Target Audience: People who enjoy history or a bit of literary trivia.
Enrichment Attempt 2: A Related Joke
“Doctor: I need a stool sample. Patient: (nervously) Is that a stool I’m supposed to bring to you… or one you want me to, uh… produce on a stool? Because, frankly, I haven’t felt that myself in years.”
- Humor Style: Builds upon the original joke’s double entendre and discomfort with medical requests. It adds a new, slightly absurdist interpretation and personal revelation.
- Target Audience: Those who enjoy awkward humor and the specific absurdity of medical procedures.
Enrichment Attempt 3: A Witty Observation
“It’s amazing how the meaning of ‘feeling yourself’ has evolved. From spiritual introspection to physical appreciation, it’s a testament to how our culture always finds new and interesting ways to connect with… ourselves. Or each other. Or both, ideally, in a consenting and healthy manner.”
- Humor Style: Sarcastic and self-aware. Acknowledges the cultural shift in meaning with a wink. The “consenting and healthy manner” is a modern, slightly sardonic disclaimer.
- Target Audience: A more intellectual audience that appreciates wordplay and social commentary.
The key to these attempts is taking the core element of the original joke (the double entendre and suggestive interpretation) and using it as a springboard for new, related humor through various approaches: factual information, joke construction, and observational wit.