The Bad Joke

What hangs at a man’s thigh and wants to poke the hole that it’s often poked before? Answer: A key.

There’s a hint of superiority in dismissing a conventionally bad joke. Recognizing a discrepancy is a show of ability and one’s calibre; it becomes a way to elevate one’s social status.

Arguably, a bad joke is also a safe one, so laughing at these zingers responds to our desire for security. They become a reliable indicator of such relaxed, safe times and paved the way to playful emotions.