Two US businessmen are on a plane and are seated beside each other. After a while they strike up a conversation to help pass the time. Their talk turns to their impressions of countries that they have visited. One asks about the other’s thoughts on Canada. He replies: “Not too bad, but it is filled with hockey players and whores.” Shocked, the other exclaims: “Hey, I’m married to a Canadian!”. Quick response back? “Ya, what team does she play for?”
Joke Poo: An Oldie About a Misunderstood Passion
Two culinary critics, renowned rivals, find themselves seated next to each other at a highly anticipated food festival. To break the tension, they decide to discuss their experiences with different cuisines.
One critic asks the other, “So, what are your thoughts on molecular gastronomy?”
The other replies, with a wrinkled nose, “Overrated! It’s all just fancy techniques and foams, filled with pretentious chefs and flavorless glop!”
Offended, the first critic gasps, “Excuse me! My wife is a molecular gastronomist!”
The second critic, without missing a beat, asks, “Ah, yes. Which foam is she known for?”
Alright, let’s break down this old chestnut and see if we can squeeze some new comedic juice out of it.
Joke Dissection:
- Premise: Two American businessmen on a plane make small talk, leading to potentially offensive generalizations about Canada.
- Key Elements:
- Businessmen: Represents a certain type, often perceived as blunt and insensitive.
- Canada (and Canadians): The target of the initial generalization (hockey players and sex workers).
- Offense & Shock: The one businessman is offended and announces his marital connection to Canada.
- Quick Wittedness/Misdirection: The punchline pivots the offense into further stereotype reinforcement with sharp logic.
- Humor Source: The humor comes from the unexpected and absurd response that doubles down on the initial offensive generalization. It relies on stereotypes, misdirection, and a slightly shocking, insensitive remark.
Comedic Enrichment:
Let’s try a few angles. We’ll lean into the Canadian stereotype angle and try to make it absurdly specific.
New Joke Option:
Two international business rivals are at a global economic forum. One, an American, boasts, “My company controls half the world’s lithium supply!” The other, a Canadian, replies calmly, “That’s cute. My grandmother knits sweaters for the entire starting lineup of the Moose Jaw Warriors.” The American scoffs, “Warriors? What’s so special about them?” The Canadian smiles, “Let’s just say she knows their… measurements intimately. They can barely lift their arms over their heads.”
Witty Observation:
The enduring appeal of “hockey players and…” jokes lies in the fact that, even with the global expansion of hockey, we still secretly believe every Canadian under 30 is either exceptionally talented on the ice or knows someone who is. And that the Zamboni driver is also the team doctor.
Amusing “Did You Know?” (Playing on Hockey Stereotypes):
Did you know that in 1972, during the legendary Summit Series between Canada and the USSR, the Canadian players were rumored to have threatened to boycott if the team wasn’t provided with enough maple syrup and poutine rations for the entire trip? It’s unclear if this threat involved hockey sticks, but historians suspect at least one “accidentally” hit a diplomat during the negotiations.
Why these work:
- The New Joke: Maintains the initial setup of businessmen, keeps the focus on Canadian stereotypes, but amps up the absurdity by adding hyper specific and ridiculous elements.
- The Observation: Acknowledges the dated nature of the original joke’s premise while pointing out its continued reliance on core (and often exaggerated) cultural assumptions.
- The “Did You Know?”: Leverages the historical significance of a legendary hockey event and injects stereotypical Canadian elements for humorous effect. It subtly nods to the national pride and passion for the sport.
Hopefully, these elaborations provide some comedic enrichment. Remember, humor is subjective, but analyzing the building blocks is the first step toward crafting something new and amusing!