He/hisssssss
Joke Poo:
What are a sloth’s preferred delivery options?
… Slow and ststeady. He/She always chooses Tortoise-Express.
Okay, let’s dissect this joke and then build on it.
Joke Dissection:
- Core Concept: The joke relies on the pun. It plays on the expectation of pronouns (he/him/she/her/they/them) referring to gender identity and then subverts it by using “hisssssss,” which sounds like a possessive pronoun but is actually an onomatopoeia of a snake’s sound.
- Humor Source: The humor comes from the unexpected twist and the clever integration of snake sounds into the pronoun structure. It’s a simple, wordplay-based joke that’s easily accessible.
- Key Elements:
- Pronouns (linguistics, grammar)
- Snakes (zoology, sound)
- Pun (wordplay)
Enrichment Attempt – Option 1: Witty Observation:
“The problem with a snake using ‘he/hisssss’ pronouns is clarity. Are they referring to themselves, or are they just really frustrated about losing their keys?”
Reasoning: This observation builds upon the original joke by highlighting the potential ambiguity created by the “hissssss” pronoun. It introduces the idea of a practical problem with using snake sounds in everyday language.
Enrichment Attempt – Option 2: ‘Did You Know’ Parody:
“Did you know that snakes actually possess a highly sophisticated understanding of grammar? Studies show that cobras are particularly adept at distinguishing between nominative and accusative cases, often correcting the improper use of ‘me’ versus ‘I’ amongst less venomous species. Though, naturally, they still insist their preferred pronoun is ‘he/hisssssss,’ which, taxonomically, is classified as a sustained fricative with implied possessive properties.”
Reasoning: This adds a layer of absurdity and educational humor. It uses a fake “did you know” fact to parody both scientific language and the snake pronoun joke. The detailed grammatical description is meant to be humorous by juxtaposing the simple joke with a complex-sounding explanation.
Enrichment Attempt – Option 3: New Joke (using a different animal):
“What are a dog’s preferred pronouns when trying to get your attention?
He/He/He’s a good boy!!!”
Reasoning: This changes the animal while keeping the same structure and pun-based humor.