Man: I want to change my name.
Clerk: Well we have strict rules about that. Here's the form, I'll help you fill it. Reason for name change?
Man: I hate it . I absolutely hate it.
Clerk: uh-huh, so.. your current surname?
Man: Hitler.
Clerk: Ah,. And dare I ask, your current first name?
Man: Adolf.
Clerk: ooooh.. I see . No wonder..
And, what would you like your new name to be?
Man: Adolf Johnny Hitler.
Joke Poo: The Analyst’s Dilemma
A patient goes to a renowned psychoanalyst’s office.
Patient: Doctor, I need your help.
Analyst: Of course. Tell me what troubles you. Lie down on the couch, and we’ll delve into your subconscious. First, tell me, what is your occupation?
Patient: I work with manure.
Analyst: I see… A farmer, perhaps? Dealing with the earth, the cycle of life… a noble profession. And what, specifically, do you do with this… manure?
Patient: I eat it.
Analyst: (Struggling to maintain composure) I… see. A peculiar… dietary choice. And… what is your name, may I ask?
Patient: Poop.
Analyst: (Wipes brow) Fascinating. And what name would you like to be called?
Patient: Sh*t
Alright, let’s dissect this joke and see what comedic gold we can mine.
Elements of the Original Joke:
- Premise: A man wants to change his name.
- Twist/Conflict: His current name is Adolf Hitler, but instead of escaping the name, he just adds a middle name.
- Humor Source:
- Surprise: The audience expects him to want to shed the infamous name, but he doubles down.
- Absurdity: The utter lack of self-awareness and dedication to a historically reviled name is inherently absurd.
- Irony: The Clerk’s initial formality (“strict rules”) contrasts sharply with the ridiculous situation.
Factual/Interesting Tidbits to Leverage:
- Name Changes: The process of legally changing a name can be complex, involving background checks, court filings, and publication of the change in some jurisdictions. It’s not always a casual affair.
- Adolf Hitler’s Name: Hitler’s birth name was actually Adolf Schicklgruber. His father later adopted the surname “Hitler”. There’s even a conspiracy theory about Hitler changing his name to avoid associations with certain ancestry.
- The Name “Adolf”: The name was not uncommon in Germany before World War II, and it originates from the Old High German “Adalwolf” meaning “noble wolf.”
New Humor Based on the Original:
Option 1: A “Did You Know?” Style Observation
Did you know that in the US, unlike some countries, there’s no law explicitly preventing you from naming your child “Adolf Hitler”? It’s true. The only real barrier is the lifetime of explaining why you chose that particular noble wolf. One guy tried to name his son “Adolf Hitler Campbell” in New Jersey, and well, let’s just say his local ShopRite checkout experience became very interesting.
Option 2: A New Joke
A man walks into a name registry office. He’s sweating profusely.
Clerk: “Name change request, sir? What’s the current name?”
Man: “Donald… Donald Drumpf.”
Clerk: “Ah, political motivations, I assume?”
Man: “No, no… I just want to be taken seriously.”
Clerk: “And what would you like your new name to be?”
Man: “Donald ‘Seriously’ Drumpf.”
Explanation of the New Humor:
- Option 1: Plays on the dark humor of the original by juxtaposing the legal freedom to choose a terrible name with the social consequences. The “noble wolf” reference adds a touch of ironic wordplay.
- Option 2: Adapts the same joke structure but replaces the historical villain with a contemporary figure. The absurdity is shifted to the motivation (wanting to be taken seriously) and the ridiculous addition of “Seriously” as a middle name.
I believe both options capture the spirit of the original joke by using relevant information to amplify the absurdity and create a new layer of humor.