Put it in the microwave until its Bill Withers
Okay, here’s my “Joke Poo” version, riffing on the original:
Joke Poo:
How do you give a toilet soul?
Put it in the library until it’s Full of Shit.
Alright, let’s dive into this quack-tastic joke!
Dissection:
- Core Concept: The joke relies on a pun connecting the physical act of heating (in a microwave) to a figurative acquisition of “soul,” followed by a pun on the name Bill Withers and the phrase “Bill with hers”.
- Key Elements:
- Duck: An animal, often associated with silliness and water.
- Soul: A spiritual essence; the intangible part of a living being.
- Microwave: A common household appliance that cooks food using electromagnetic radiation.
- Bill Withers: Soul singer whose name can be easily made into “Bill With Hers”
- Pun: The entire joke hinges on a wordplay pun
Comedic Enrichment and New Humor:
Okay, now for the fun part! Let’s use some “duck” and “soul” related facts to generate more humor:
Option 1: Witty Observation (“Did you know…”)
“Did you know that ducks actually have a surprisingly complex vocal range? They can quack in multiple keys, sometimes even attempting minor keys, but they can never quite achieve the soulful depth of Bill Withers. You can try microwaving them, but you’ll probably just end up with a rubbery, slightly sad, and definitely not soulful duck.”
Option 2: New Joke (Building on the premise)
“Why did the chicken cross the road to get to the spiritual advisor?
Because it heard the duck in the microwave had finally attained ‘Bill Withers’ and was now offering discounted poultry enlightenment sessions! Turns out, all it took was a little radiation and a whole lot of ‘Lean on Me.'”
Option 3: Absurdist Take (Playing with expectations)
“How do you give a rubber duck soul?
First, you need to find a sentient microwave. Not just any microwave, mind you, but one that’s been deeply moved by the works of Nietzsche. Then, you carefully place the rubber duck inside, set the timer for 45 seconds, and chant a passage from Thus Spoke Zarathustra. The resulting duck will be marginally warmer, slightly more pliable, and will likely stare blankly at you with a newfound sense of existential dread… but no soul. You’ll need Bill Withers for that.”
Explanation of Choices:
- The “Did you know…” version utilizes a bit of factual information about ducks to contrast with the absurdity of the original joke.
- The new joke plays off the original punchline, creating a cause-and-effect scenario where the “Bill Withers Duck” becomes a source of spiritual guidance.
- The absurdist take subverts the expectation of a simple answer and instead presents a bizarre, philosophical, and ultimately unsatisfying solution.