I got paid in tips.
Okay, here’s my attempt at a “Joke Poo” based on your circumcision joke:
Joke Poo: Dog Grooming Doldrums
I used to work as a dog groomer specializing in poodle trims, but I had to quit because I wasn’t making enough.
I kept getting paid in shih tzus.
Okay, let’s break down the circumcision joke:
Dissection:
- Premise: The speaker worked in circumcisions. This sets up a medical and somewhat delicate context.
- Punchline Setup: “I had to quit because I wasn’t making enough.” This is a standard financial frustration setup.
- Punchline Delivery: “I got paid in tips.” The humor relies on the double meaning of “tips.” One meaning is the slang for foreskin removed during circumcision, and the other is the money left as a gratuity.
- Humor Type: Wordplay (pun), suggestive humor (due to the nature of the procedure). The incongruity of getting paid in actual foreskins is what makes it funny.
Key Elements:
- Circumcision (medical procedure, slang for foreskin)
- Financial Compensation (“making enough,” “paid”)
- Wordplay on “tips”
Comedic Enrichment:
Here are a few attempts at creating new humor building upon the original:
1. A “Did You Know?” style factoid-joke:
“Did you know that ancient Egyptians were known for performing circumcisions? It’s estimated that the average Pharaoh’s salary was 365 loaves of bread…plus a hefty tip! Apparently, they were early adopters of performance-based incentives.”
- Rationale: This adds a layer of historical context with the Egyptian reference while still relying on the double meaning of “tip.” The bread salary and performance-based incentive elements add another layer of absurdity.
2. New Joke (Playing on the “career” aspect):
“I’m looking to get into the circumcision business, but I’m worried about career advancement. I mean, what’s the next step? Cutting-edge research?”
- Rationale: This plays on the professional development angle, creating another pun on “cutting-edge” related to surgery.
3. Witty Observation:
“It’s funny how a practice as ancient as circumcision can still cause so much friction when it comes to figuring out the right tip amount.”
- Rationale: This offers a broader statement playing on the tension within the original joke. The term ‘friction’ can be associated with the act of circumcision, or a disagreement over tipping.
4. An absurd expansion on the original joke:
“I tried to negotiate a raise at the circumcision clinic. I told my boss, ‘Look, I’m giving 110% here, but I can’t live on just tips! I need a bonus, a benefits package, maybe even a… severance package?’ He just looked at me and said, ‘Severance? Are you sure you’re in the right line of work?'”
- Rationale: This continues the financial theme, but adds in common workplace concepts (raise, bonus, benefits) to heighten the incongruity of the job itself. The “severance” line is another pun-based addition.
The key to success is leveraging the audience’s understanding of the original joke’s key elements to create something that’s both unexpected and relatable.