Two men were drinking in a bar. One of them was visibly getting drunker and louder, while the other one still seemed sober and in control.
Suddenly, everyone in the bar could hear the drunk guy say, “You know, your mother is so amazing; she has done a great job staying in shape. I have always found her so attractive and I still do to this day!”
All the other patrons in the bar turned to them, expecting the other guy to punch the loud mouthed drunkard in the face, and the bartender got ready to intervene if in case a brawl did start.
Then, to everyone’s surprise, the sober guy said calmly, “I think you have had one too many now. Let’s go home, dad. Mom must be waiting for supper.”
Joke Poo: Stall Talk
Two plumbers were working on a burst pipe in a public restroom. One was covered head-to-toe in grime, visibly flustered and sweating, while the other remained remarkably clean and calm.
Suddenly, echoing through the tiled room, the messy plumber yelled, “You know, this toilet…it’s a masterpiece! The craftsmanship, the porcelain, the sheer volume of…material it can handle! It’s the finest piece of plumbing I’ve ever laid eyes on!”
Every other plumber in the building (who were there for a convention) turned to them, expecting the clean plumber to be offended and ready to defend their own work, and the building manager started dialing security.
Then, to everyone’s surprise, the clean plumber sighed calmly, and said “Alright, alright, you’ve complimented it enough. Let’s get this leak fixed, boss. The health inspector is due any minute.”
Okay, let’s break down this joke and then build upon it.
Joke Dissection:
- Setup: Two men at a bar, one getting drunk and loud, the other sober. This establishes a classic dynamic: the unpredictable drunk and the controlled observer.
- Punchline Catalyst: The drunk man makes a highly inappropriate, potentially offensive compliment about the sober man’s mother. This creates tension and anticipation of conflict.
- Twist: The sober man reveals the drunk man is his father, turning the inappropriate compliment into an awkward family situation. The expected anger is replaced by a weary resignation.
- Humor: The humor stems from the subversion of expectations. We anticipate a bar fight, but instead get a family dynamic revealed in a highly unconventional way. The absurdity of the situation, the father-son relationship clashing with social norms, and the sober son’s dry response are all humorous.
Key Elements:
- Drunkenness: Loss of inhibitions, inappropriate behavior.
- Mother-Son Relationship: Usually associated with respect and filial piety.
- Father-Son Relationship: Often portrayed with expectations of strength and guidance.
- Social Norms: Public behavior, respecting others’ family members.
- Subversion: Turning the expected outcome (a fight) on its head.
Humorous Expansion – Approach 1: The “Did You Know?”
Did you know? In some cultures, complimenting a man’s mother is considered a veiled attempt at flattery and ingratiation, intended to gain favor with the son. But in the animal kingdom, the opposite is true! Male bowerbirds spend hours constructing elaborate nests and adorning them with brightly colored objects to attract a mate. The more impressive the nest, the more attractive the male appears. So, in a way, that drunk dad at the bar? He was just trying to build his son a really, really weird nest. Now if he only had a blue bottle cap.
Humorous Expansion – Approach 2: The “Slightly Darker Joke”
Two men are sitting in a bar. One, clearly intoxicated, slurs, “You know, your mother? She’s… she’s quite a woman. Very attractive. Always has been.”
The sober man sighs, looking utterly defeated. “I know.”
“And… and I regret everything!” the drunk man continues, tears welling up. “I should have never left, Jimmy. Your childhood was my fault.”
The sober man stares into his drink. “I still think you should have told me before the wedding, Dad.”
Humorous Expansion – Approach 3: The “Witty Observation”
The joke reminds us of the uncomfortable truth that alcohol often reveals what people already think, but are too polite (or sober) to say. It’s like a truth serum… but instead of solving mysteries, it just creates awkward family reunions. You know you are in trouble when your dad finds your mom attractive enough to get drunk about it.
Humorous Expansion – Approach 4: Alternative punchline
Two men are sitting in a bar. One, clearly intoxicated, slurs, “You know, your mother? She’s… she’s quite a woman. Very attractive. Always has been.”
The sober man calmly says, “Funny you should mention that. She thinks the same of you.”
The drunk man looks confused. “Wait… you mean…?”
The sober man sighs. “Yeah, Dad. You finally have to meet your step-dad.”