…he was going on and on about how incredibly beautiful she looked and that anyone else would be lucky to land a woman as gorgeous as his wife.
Finally, the co-worker manages to get a word in: "Oh, yeah? If you think your wife is hot, then you should see my wife."
"Why's that? Is she a stunner, too?"
"No, she's an optometrist"
Joke Poo: The Food Critic
A food critic was holding court, pontificating about the sublime, almost religious experience he’d had dining at a Michelin-starred restaurant. He described the textures, the aromas, the sheer artistry of each dish, claiming no other palate was worthy to judge such culinary perfection.
Finally, a weary waiter, after refilling the critic’s water glass for the fifth time, interjected, “Oh, yeah? If you thought that was good, you should try my restaurant’s food.”
“Why’s that? Is it another haven of haute cuisine?” the critic scoffed.
“No,” the waiter sighed, “it’s a dumpster fire.”
Alright, let’s break down this joke and then cook up some comedic enhancements.
Joke Dissection:
- Setup: The joke starts with classic bragging, establishing a character who is insecure and needs validation through his wife’s attractiveness. This creates anticipation for a ‘brag-off’ scenario.
- Misdirection: The co-worker’s response initially implies he’s going to one-up the braggart with an even more stunning wife. This is the core of the misdirection.
- Punchline: The revelation that his wife is an optometrist pivots the meaning of “see my wife” from observing beauty to needing corrective lenses. This is a pun/wordplay-based punchline.
- Humor: The humor derives from the unexpected shift in meaning, the deflation of the braggart’s ego, and the clever use of the double meaning of “see.” It’s also a bit absurd.
Key Elements to Play With:
- Optometry: The profession itself is ripe for humor. Optometrists deal with sight, perception, and the quirks of the human eye.
- Bragging/Insecurity: The character dynamic of needing to boast about one’s spouse is a common comedic trope.
- Wordplay/Puns: The foundation of the joke itself is a pun, so continuing in that vein is logical.
Comedic Enrichment:
Here are a few ideas to build on the original joke:
1. The “Did You Know?” Angle:
“Did you know that optometrists have the highest rates of marriage to individuals who frequently lose their glasses? It’s true! They say the heart wants what it can’t see, and the spouse’s vision prescription… well, that’s just job security.”
Analysis: This expands on the original joke by adding a humorous, completely fabricated ‘fact’ about optometrists and their spouses. It ties back to the theme of vision and reinforces the idea of needing to ‘see’ something. It’s absurd and plays on the assumed connection between optometrists and people with bad vision.
2. A Related Joke:
Why did the optometrist break up with the landscaper?
…Because he couldn’t see himself with someone who took things at face value!
Analysis: Another pun-based joke, that exploits the meaning of seeing, and connecting it to a profession that works with sight.
3. The Braggart’s Retort:
After the optometrist joke, the braggart scoffs, “Optometrist? Big deal. My wife’s a professional baker. She makes such incredible cakes, it’s almost like… eye candy!” (He winks awkwardly.)
Analysis: This brings the story back to the braggart, and puts him in a position of having to attempt another boast. It doubles down on the initial insecurities of the braggart, as he feels the need to re-assert his wife’s value.
4. An observation about vision:
Isn’t it funny how “I see” can mean “I understand,” even though we only really “see” with our brains? Maybe all those self-help gurus should be ophthalmologists instead of life coaches. They could actually fix your perspective.
Analysis: A little bit more philosophical, connecting the literal act of seeing with understanding and perspective. It builds upon the key element of “seeing” and uses it for a social commentary.