What Makes a Bad Cracker Joke?

Here’s the funny thing about cracker jokes: the best ones are usually the worst ones!

Not “worst” as in offensive, awkward or unsuitable — we’ll come back to that. We mean wonderfully cheesy, wildly predictable and so punny that everyone around the table lets out the same long groan…

That is exactly what a good cracker joke should do.

A cracker joke is not trying to win comedy awards. It does not need to be clever, edgy or laugh-out-loud hilarious. Its job is much simpler: to make people smile and groan!

And if it gets a laugh as well, that’s a bonus.

 

What makes a properly bad cracker joke?

You can see the punchline coming

The best cracker jokes often give the game away before you even reach the end.

What do you call a fish wearing a bow tie?
Sofishticated!

Did you guess it? Probably!

Did you still smile? We hope so.

It has a truly terrible pun

A bad pun is the heart and soul of a classic cracker joke. In fact, the more you groan, the better it probably is.

What do you call a cow during an earthquake?
A milkshake.

It is not comedy gold. It is something even better: cracker-joke gold.

It gets the right reaction

There is one very reliable way to test whether a joke belongs in a cracker. Read it out loud and watch what happens.

If you get:

• eye rolls
• head shaking
• a reluctant smile
• someone saying, “That’s awful”

…you have found a winner.

Which side of a turkey has most feathers? 
The outside!

This little nugget is from our Christmas dad jokes set.

Everyone can join in

The best cracker jokes are made for sharing. Grandparents, parents, children, friends, colleagues and that one uncle (who thinks he is a comedian) can all enjoy them together.

The humour should be light-hearted, simple and easy to share — perfect for Christmas dinner, parties, weddings, birthdays or any occasion that could use a terrible joke and a laugh!

Two aerials got married.  The ceremony was rubbish, but the reception was brilliant!

This wedding themed one liner is from our set of “Bride & Groom”, jokes, we also have “Bride & Bride” and "Groom & Groom” jokes too.

The build-up is far too long for the payoff

Some jokes take their time before delivering a punchline that is barely worth the wait.

That is part of the charm.

Why did Dad bring a ladder to the bar?
Because he heard the drinks were on the house.
He got there, set the ladder up, climbed halfway up, looked around and said, “Well, this is disappointing. I thought there’d at least be a roof terrace.”

Worth the wait? You decide!

My wife complains that I don't buy her flowers.  To be honest, I didn't know she sold flowers!

This groan worthy dad jokes is from our non-seasonal dad joke set.

“Bad” in a Good Way — Not the Unsuitable Way

When we say we love “bad” cracker jokes, we mean bad in the traditional dad-joke sense: cheesy, predictable, silly and gloriously groan-worthy.

We do not mean jokes that are rude, offensive or likely to make someone uncomfortable.

The best jokes bring people together. They should make the whole table laugh, smile or groan — not leave anyone out. That is why we keep most of our jokes family-friendly and suitable for sharing.

We do have some exceptions, poo jokes, fart jokes and our “Just a little bit cheeky!” collections – but we keep these in sets on their own – all of our other joke collections are definitely family friendly.

The Real Secret Ingredient: Sharing the Joke

The truth is, most cracker jokes are not funny because the joke itself is brilliant.

They are funny because of the moment.

It is watching someone confidently read out an awful pun. It is children laughing at something adults think is ridiculous. It is the collective groan that travels around the table after another painfully predictable punchline.

That is why cracker jokes have lasted so long. They are not trying to be the world’s greatest jokes. They are there to bring people together.

 

Got a Joke That Deserves to Be in a Cracker?

We are always looking for fresh jokes, terrible puns and wonderfully groan-worthy one-liners.

If you have a joke that makes people laugh, sigh or shake their heads, send it our way. Your joke could end up making someone’s Christmas, party or family gathering that little bit sillier.

Send us your best jokes by contacting us here.

Need More Inspiration?

If you need more jokes for your own crackers, cards, table games or celebrations, take a look at our cracker joke collection. There is always room in life for one more terrible pun!

When everyone groans at the same time, the joke has done its job perfectly.