Have Dad Jokes Gone From Corny To Kinda Cool?

Before having kids, guys who think they’re the next Kevin Hart are all about cracking jokes, and the raunchier, the better. If kids are in the room, their parents cup their hands over their innocent ears, hoping they aren’t exposed to the Andrew Dice Clay of it all.

But that was then. Once a guy becomes a dad, and his kids are old enough to understand what he is saying, the “adult” humor falls flat fast. No more jokes about hookers, hillbillies, and getting high when a kid is standing by like a sponge ready to soak in dad’s questionable sense of humor.

Dad’s inevitably become more like Full House’s “Danny Tanner” after spending years behaving like the real-life Bob Saget.

So What Now?

Can a guy go from dude to dad and still make his friends crack up? Perhaps if all of his friends are fathers too, they’ll cut the G-rated “comedian” some slack. Otherwise, they will have to tolerate his silly jokes, and hope at least a few of the corny ones are moderately funny.

Embrace this new era with dad jokes that aren’t merely tolerable, but actually admirable. You don’t have to curse or be crude to unleash your inner comedian. Just like the “dad bod” has become appealing, dad jokes can be just as cool, especially if you put forth material that’s actually entertaining.

"It's inappropriate to make a 'dad joke' if you're not a dad. It's a faux pa."

Where Do Dad Jokes Come From?

Prior jokes about getting laid and other more offensive topics are off the table. Now the humor must become more PG-13 than R rated, so the moms in the kids playgroup won’t go apeshit...or contact the authorities.

Can a dad come up with some fresh (and family-friendly) one-liners and knee-slappers? Sure, if he is creative and crafty enough. But the guys who can’t get out of their pre-kids mode of making people laugh are at a loss. That is where the internet comes into play.

Parade has a slew of starter material — 100 jokes to get any dad started on his path towards pretty bad jokes. Knock knock jokes are only the tip of the iceberg.

An example? “When does a joke become a ‘dad joke?’ When it becomes apparent.” We think you can do better, too.

Once you get the hang of it, the funnier you’ll be. Along with the Parade list to get the ball rolling, use already-done material to make your own set of go-to jokes. No one cares if they aren’t super hilarious, as it’s all a matter of context and your commitment. If you think they’re funny, your friends will laugh with you, not at you.

Cheesiness is part of the program, so go heavy on the Velveeta. Realize you’re a dad now, so think of how you make the kids laugh, and apply it to the adults. Get animated and go all-in. It’s more of your style than substance. Embarrass yourself to get everyone giddy.

“How do you get a squirrel to like you? Act like a nut.”

Prepare for Dad Joke Groans

Perhaps working on your comedic “craft” yourself is a smart solution to work your way up to something better. Peruse Reddit for some “real life” input, and even share your own “gems.” Maybe you can buy a joke book on Amazon for some inspiration while you’re searching for Lysol and Kleenex.

You’ll get through this “bad dad jokes” period. Patience is a virtue, pop. And remember, “funny dad jokes” is something of an oxymoron. And in case of emergency, remember you can always resort to fart jokes.

"I like telling Dad jokes. Sometimes he laughs!"