When I see you, I want you to feel something in your stomach,

Joke Poo: When I see your code…

When I see your code, I want you to feel something in your server room, and it’s not the whirring of the cooling fans.

My junior developer used this on me after I reviewed his pull request. I archived the repository.

Okay, let’s dissect this joke!

Core Elements:

• Premise: The setup establishes a desire to evoke a feeling in the target’s stomach. This creates an expectation of romance or positive emotion (butterflies).
• Subversion: The punchline (“and it’s not butterflies”) flips the expectation. Instead of a romantic flutter, the intended feeling is something unpleasant. The implication is likely fear, nausea, or discomfort.
• Flirting gone wrong: The added context that it was a flirting attempt highlights the failure of the line. The slap further emphasizes the complete rejection of the advance.
• Humor Type: Dark humor, situational comedy, anti-humor (depending on the delivery and perspective). It’s funny because it’s unexpected and uncomfortable.

Interesting Tidbits & Factual Connections:

• The “Gut Feeling” & the Enteric Nervous System: The joke relies on the connection between emotions and the stomach. Interestingly, the human gut has its own nervous system, called the enteric nervous system, often referred to as the “second brain.” It contains neurons that can function independently of the brain, influencing digestion, mood, and even decision-making. It is why you feel anxiety or nervousness in your gut, even if the situation is purely mental.

• Physiology of Fear & Nausea: The joke implies fear or nausea. Physiologically, fear triggers the release of adrenaline, which can slow down digestion and lead to a “knot” in the stomach. Nausea is a signal from the brain stem indicating something is wrong, often linked to the digestive system’s response to potential toxins or infection.

• Butterflies & the Vagus Nerve: The “butterflies in the stomach” feeling is thought to be connected to the vagus nerve, which connects the brain to the gut. When nervous or excited, the brain sends signals along the vagus nerve that can affect gut motility, causing that fluttering sensation.

Now, let’s use these elements to create new humor:

Option 1: A “Did You Know” that enhances the original joke:

“Did you know the saying ‘butterflies in your stomach’ could more accurately be described as ‘a controlled release of adrenaline temporarily disrupting your digestive processes’? So, when I say I want you to feel something in your stomach, and it’s not butterflies… you should probably check your expiration dates.”

Option 2: A related joke:

“My doctor told me to trust my gut. So, I asked my stomach if my friend’s flirting was a good idea. My stomach replied with a series of increasingly loud gurgles that I’m pretty sure translated to ‘Run. Just run.'”

Option 3: Witty observation:

“Flirting is a delicate art. You’re trying to induce butterflies, not a full-blown gastrointestinal rebellion.”

Option 4: A revision of the original punchline, playing on the “second brain” concept:

“When I see you, I want you to feel something in your stomach… and it’s not butterflies. It’s the enteric nervous system staging a full-scale protest against your poor judgment.”