Doctor
Joke Poo:
What do you call the plumber who makes the least money in the city?
…A drain-dodger (and also, probably still a plumber, because even bad plumbers get paid something.)
Alright, let’s dissect this joke!
Analysis of the Original Joke:
- Setup: “What do you call someone who had the worst grades in medical school?”
- Punchline: “Doctor”
- Humor Mechanism: The humor derives from irony and subversion of expectations. We expect someone with the “worst grades” to be disqualified or unsuccessful. The punchline highlights the universal and necessary title (“Doctor”) applied to all graduates, regardless of performance, implying a potential (and humorous) level of incompetence inherent in the profession. It subtly pokes fun at the idea that even the worst-performing medical students still become doctors.
Key Elements:
- Medical School: The context and setting.
- Grades/Performance: The specific quality being scrutinized.
- Doctor: The ultimate outcome/profession.
- Irony/Subversion: The contrast between expectation and reality.
Now, let’s use these elements to create some comedic enrichment:
1. Witty Observation/Joke Enhancement:
“You know, they say med school grades are just a suggestion box for residency programs. Some suggestions are just… more strongly worded than others.” (This plays on the idea that grades matter, but not that much, especially when connected with residency choices.)
2. Amusing ‘Did You Know’ Inspired by the Joke:
“Did you know that while medical schools have rigorous grading systems, the real test often comes from the patients? They’re the ones giving the ‘customer satisfaction’ score, which is surprisingly influential, even if it’s often tied to how quickly you can get them a painkiller. Maybe ‘worst grades’ means ‘best bedside manner’?”
3. New Joke with a Similar Structure:
Setup: “What do you call someone who finished last in a class of surgeons?”
Punchline: “…Probably a very careful anesthesiologist.” (Here, we subvert the expectation of disgrace with a potentially positive adaptation to the circumstances).
4. A More Cynical Take:
“They say the ‘Hippocratic Oath’ is what separates a doctor from a… well, someone who just memorized a lot of medical textbooks. But sometimes, I think it’s just a pinky swear they make before billing you six figures for a five-minute checkup.” (This amplifies a darker interpretation; some doctors are merely technically proficient but morally questionable).
Explanation of the Enrichment Process:
The new content is built by:
- Extending the Idea: Pushing the implications of the original joke’s subversion.
- Adding Specificity: Incorporating relatable, arguably true, observations about the medical profession.
- Shifting Perspective: Exploring the idea of whether high academic achievement is the best metric for a good physician.
- Expanding to related Roles: Creating similar humor by expanding to roles nearby and important to the original concept.

