He said the only constant in life is change.
Joke Poo:
Title: My Dog’s Stash
My dog used to bury bone-shaped dog biscuits all over the yard. One day, I asked him why he was doing it.
He woofed and wagged his tail, then, with a twinkle in his eye, he explained: “Because a balanced diet requires regular deposits.”
Okay, let’s break down this joke and then build upon it!
Joke Dissection:
- Setup: Establishes the premise: Dad saves rolls of quarters. The son’s question creates anticipation.
- Punchline: “He said the only constant in life is change.” This is a pun. The word “change” is used in two senses:
- Literal sense: Coins/money, specifically “change” in the form of quarters.
- Philosophical sense: The abstract concept of transformation and impermanence.
- Humor: The humor arises from the unexpected, clever connection between the mundane (saving quarters) and a profound philosophical concept. It’s also mildly ironic – saving money (quarters) could be interpreted as an attempt to resist change in some ways. The dad is being playfully philosophical about something fairly mundane.
Key Elements:
- Quarters: US currency, 25-cent coin, often saved.
- “Change” (money): The literal financial aspect.
- “Change” (philosophical): The abstract concept of transformation.
- Dad: The figure of parental wisdom, delivering a slightly absurd, pun-laden insight.
Comedic Enrichment/New Humor:
Let’s play with the “quarters” and “change” angle, and the dad persona:
Option 1: New Joke
My dad started collecting Bitcoin. I asked him why, especially since he used to hoard quarters. He said, “Son, quarters represent the past – fixed value, tangible. Bitcoin? That’s the future. Now that’s what I call…radical change.” (He winked, then pulled out his dusty coin collection catalog).
Why it Works:
- Mirrors the original structure.
- Replaces the tangible but limited quarters with a more modern concept of Bitcoin.
- Keeps the pun with “radical change,” but applies it to the volatile nature of cryptocurrency.
- The father figure remains quirky and a bit out-of-touch, clinging to the old while trying to embrace the new, highlighting the intergenerational tension and a relatable sense of trying to adapt to technological advancement.
Option 2: Witty Observation/ “Did You Know”
Did you know that a roll of 40 quarters totals exactly ten dollars? It’s like a tiny brick of pure American potential, waiting to be spent on… well, probably a vending machine snack these days. Which is ironic, because that snack represents the instant gratification economy, and instant gratification is basically the antithesis of embracing the inevitable, slow, and often painful change that life throws at you. Also, my dad has, like, eight rolls. Should I stage an intervention?
Why it Works:
- Starts with a factual tidbit about quarters.
- Connects the small fact to a larger commentary about society and instant gratification.
- The last line is humorous because it brings it back to the personal and relatable (“My dad”).
Option 3: One Liner
My dad doesn’t believe in change. He pays for everything with a roll of quarters.
Why it Works:
- Brevity and punch.
- Another play on the double meaning of “change”
The key is to leverage the established elements and introduce a twist or an observation that creates a new layer of humor or insight. The original joke is effective because it is unexpected, and that is the goal to carry into any derived humour.