In the dictionary.
Joke Poo:
Title: When Does a Sewer Flow Uphill?
Answer:
In a reversed drainage diagram.
Alright, let’s dissect this linguistic jest and then amp up the humor!
Joke Analysis:
- Type: Wordplay, Puns
- Mechanism: The joke relies on the ambiguity of the word “come before.” It can mean chronological order or alphabetical order. The question prompts the reader to think about time, while the answer subverts expectations by switching to alphabetical order.
- Key Elements:
- Months of the year (December, November)
- Concept of time/chronological order
- Concept of alphabetical order
- Subversion of expectation
Comedic Enrichment:
Let’s leverage some factual tidbits and surprising connections related to the months themselves to craft a new gag.
New Joke/Observation:
“Why did November get so flustered trying to RSVP to December’s party?”
“Because December’s invite was literally before his, and he was worried about appearing late… or illiterate. Turns out, December’s party was a ‘Read a Book’ themed shindig.”
Comedic Reasoning:
- Builds on the original concept of “December before November.”
- Introduces a situation of social pressure.
- The resolution emphasizes the original pun, but also includes a literary element. The ‘Read a Book’ adds a layer of silly self-awareness, playing on the dictionary-based origin of the joke.
- It’s a short narrative joke rather than a simple one-liner, which might be more engaging.
Another approach (Amusing ‘Did You Know’):
“Did you know that even though December is named after the Latin word ‘decem’ meaning ‘ten’ (originally being the tenth month), it’s ironically before November (‘novem’ – nine) in the dictionary? It’s like history and etymology are playing a practical joke on our Gregorian calendars.”
Comedic Reasoning:
- The original joke centered on language. This approach delves into the etymology of the months, highlighting the inherent absurdity of their names relative to their position in the year.
- The unexpected detail about “decem” (ten) and “novem” (nine) creates a moment of surprise and absurdity.
- The final line personifies history and etymology as pranksters, adding a touch of whimsy.
I hope these additions enrich the comedic value of the original joke!