She said “No I haven’t but I’ve cuddled the gasman.”
Joke Poo: The Architect’s Square
I said to my husband, "Let’s redecorate the bathroom. Have you ever used the Architect’s Square?"
He said, "No, I haven’t, but I’ve polished the plumber’s pipe."
Alright, let’s dissect this pub-related romantic transgression joke!
Joke Breakdown:
- Setup: The husband proposes a simple social outing to a pub called "The Carpenter’s Arms." This sets a seemingly innocent and common scenario.
- Misdirection: The pub name "Carpenter’s Arms" suggests a working-class establishment, hinting at a simple, honest atmosphere.
- Punchline: The wife’s response is a non sequitur that implies infidelity with the gasman. This is unexpected and incongruous, creating humor. The pub setting is completely sidestepped.
- Humor Source: The humor derives from the unexpected confession, the violation of trust, and the juxtaposition of the mundane pub invitation with the illicit affair. The specificity of the "gasman" adds to the humor; it’s not just someone, it’s the gasman, a common, reliable figure.
Key Elements:
- Pub Name: "The Carpenter’s Arms" (common pub name, related to carpentry)
- Profession: Gasman (tradesperson, often entering homes)
- Relationship: Husband and Wife (established trust and expectation of fidelity)
- Infidelity: The core of the punchline
Comedic Enrichment – New Joke:
I took my wife to a pub called "The Blacksmith’s Bellows". Thinking I was in the clear after last time, I confidently asked, "So, have you ever been in the Blacksmith’s Bellows?" She hesitated, then said, "Well, I have helped the farrier shoe a horse once… Does that count?" Apparently she thought I was just testing her about various trades!
Comedic Enrichment – Witty Observation:
You know, the real problem with the Carpenter’s Arms joke is the implication that the gasman is still a regular visitor in people’s homes. Nowadays, it’s more likely to be the broadband installer, which just doesn’t have the same romantic ring to it. "Cuddled the broadband installer" just sounds like a very long, frustrating tech support call.
Comedic Enrichment – Amusing ‘Did You Know?’
Did you know that the Carpenter’s Company, a trade guild dating back to the Middle Ages, often had strong ties to local pubs? This connection might explain why so many pubs bear the name "The Carpenter’s Arms." So technically, inviting your wife to The Carpenter’s Arms is romantic… unless she’s already met a carpenter, electrician, plumber, or a stonemason at the pub already.
The goal is to leverage the core elements of the original joke (pub name, occupation, relationship, infidelity) to create new humorous scenarios or observations that either expand upon the original premise or subvert expectations.