TL/DR: joke #432b
Boudreau and Thibodeau worked together, and both were laid off. They went to the unemployment office together. When the clerk asked his occupation, Boudreau answered, “Panty Stitcher, I sew da elastic onto da ladies’ cotton panties.”
The clerk looked up Panty Stitcher and found it was classified as unskilled labor, she gave him $50 a week for unemployment pay.
When Thibodeau was asked his occupation, “Diesel Fitter” was his response. The clerk gave him $200 per week unemployment pay.
When Boudreau found out, he was furious. He stormed back into the office to find out why his friend and coworker was collecting so much more unemployment pay. The clerk explained, “Panty stitchers are unskilled labor, and diesel fitters are skilled labor.”
“What skill?” yelled Boudreau. “I sew da elastic on da panties. I hand dem to Thibodeau. Thibodeau puts dem over his head an’ says, “Yeah, dese’ll fit her.”
Okay, here’s my attempt at a “Joke Poo” based on the diesel fitter joke, titled appropriately:
Joke Poo: Coffee Calibration
Two baristas, Brenda and Trent, both lost their jobs at the artisanal coffee shop. They headed down to the unemployment office. When the clerk asked Brenda her occupation, she proudly declared, “Foam Artist! I sculpt intricate designs in the milk foam atop lattes.”
The clerk, after a lengthy search, classified Foam Artist as a specialized, semi-skilled position, granting Brenda $75 a week in benefits.
When Trent was asked his occupation, he mumbled, “Bean Grinder.” The clerk immediately assigned him $300 a week.
Brenda was livid. She marched back to the clerk, demanding to know why Trent was getting so much more. The clerk explained, “Bean Grinding is considered a highly skilled role here in our state’s assessment. Foam Artistry is appreciated, but not as critical.”
“Skill?!” Brenda shrieked, “I make swans, rosettes, even tiny dragons! I hand the latte to Trent. He sniffs it, takes a sip, and says, ‘Yup, beans are ground fine enough.’ What’s so skilled about THAT?!”
Okay, let’s break down this joke and then build some comedic enrichment on it.
Joke Dissection:
- Setup: Two laid-off workers, Boudreau and Thibodeau, go to the unemployment office. The contrast is set up through their seemingly different jobs.
- Punchline: Boudreau reveals the “skill” required of a Diesel Fitter: stretching panties over his head to see if they fit. This subverts expectations. The humor comes from:
- The absurdity of using that method to determine fit.
- The implication that “Diesel Fitter” is a ridiculous euphemism for a bizarre task.
- The indignation of Boudreau at the perceived unfairness.
- Underlying Theme: Misunderstanding of job descriptions, the arbitrariness of “skilled” vs. “unskilled” labor, and potential ignorance about specialized trades.
Key Elements:
- Job Title/Euphemism: “Diesel Fitter” – the core of the joke’s misdirection.
- Panties/Underwear: The unexpected item used for the “fitting.”
- Boudreau’s Anger/Frustration: Fuels the reveal and makes it funnier.
- Accents: The stereotype “Boudreau” accent
Comedic Enrichment & Related Humor:
Let’s focus on the “Diesel Fitter” aspect and related industries for some new humor.
1. Witty Observation:
“It’s funny, isn’t it? How the term ‘Diesel Fitter’ conjures images of powerful engines and intricate machinery. In reality, it’s just the industrial version of ‘Does my bum look big in this?'”
2. New Joke:
A company was hiring a ‘Quantum Alignment Technician.’ The job description said experience in theoretical physics and a steady hand were required.
The interviewer asked, “So, what exactly do you align?”
The applicant replied, “Socks. After they come out of the dryer, I check if the quantum entanglement between the pair is still strong enough for them to be considered a matched set.”
3. Amusing “Did You Know?” (Playing on Trade Specialization):
“Did you know? The International Underwear Standards Organization (IUSO – not a real organization) has a specialized certification for ‘Elastic Integrity Assessors’? These highly trained professionals spend years perfecting the art of measuring the stretch and recovery of elastic waistbands. Their main rival? A rogue group of Boudreau-inspired ‘Panties Stretchers’ who believe the best measurement is the ‘head-fit’ method.”
4. Joke Extension (Using “Diesel” Association):
Boudreau gets even more upset. He goes to a vocational school.
“I want to be a real Diesel Fitter! Sign me up for your intensive course!”
The school director looks at him sadly. “I’m sorry, son. This course requires extensive knowledge of compression ratios, fuel injection systems, and thermodynamic principles.”
Boudreau throws his hands up. “Thermodynamic! I just needs a big head and some cotton panties!”
Explanation of Choices:
- Focusing on Euphemisms: The original joke relies on a job title being a euphemism for something ridiculous. My new joke and observation both riff on this, finding other ways to create a comedic disconnect between the expectation of a job title and the reality of the task.
- Playing on Expertise: The “Elastic Integrity Assessors” bit satirizes the often overly specific certifications and job titles that exist. It’s an absurd extension of the skilled vs. unskilled debate.
- Adding Layers: The vocational school extension adds a layer of comedic frustration and misunderstanding.
The goal is to extend the joke’s core humor in new and unexpected directions, using related elements and concepts.