25 Best Dad Jokes (Plus the History of Dad Jokes and Why We Love Them)
Some jokes make you laugh - some make you groan – and some do both at the same time.
Welcome to the wonderful world of dad jokes.
Whether they’re told around the dinner table, hidden inside Christmas crackers or shared with complete confidence, despite being painfully cheesy, dad jokes have become a much-loved part of British humour.
Many of the jokes we know and love today have become classics thanks to Christmas crackers. Those wonderfully awful one-liners have been making families laugh, groan and roll their eyes for generations.
What Is a Dad Joke?
A dad joke is usually a simple joke based on wordplay, puns or an obvious punchline. They are often deliberately corny and are famous for making everyone sigh before laughing anyway.
A great example of a dad joke might be:
- I keep thinking I'm famous. I did a book signing yesterday but now I'm banned from the library!
The classic ingredients of a dad joke are:
- A pun or play on words.
- A predictable punchline.
- Clean, family-friendly humour.
- A joke that is so bad, it’s good.
Despite the name, you don’t have to be a dad to tell one. Although dads do seem particularly proud of them – albeit they should hang their heads in shame really!
Where Did Dad Jokes Come From?
People have been telling groan-worthy jokes for centuries, but the phrase “dad joke” is relatively modern.
It first appeared in print in the 1980s, when writers described the sort of harmless jokes fathers would tell around the house. The internet and social media later helped spread them around the world, turning dad jokes into a phenomenon enjoyed by all ages.
Today, dad jokes are everywhere, from birthday cards and Christmas crackers to television programmes and social media.
Why Do We Love Dad Jokes?
Dad jokes are:
- Suitable for all ages.
- Silly without being offensive.
- Easy to remember.
- Perfect for breaking the ice.
- Guaranteed to produce at least one groan.
And let’s be honest, half the fun is seeing people’s reactions.
Why Dad Jokes and Christmas Crackers Go Hand in Hand
No Christmas would be complete without terrible jokes, and that’s exactly how we like them.
For generations, Christmas crackers have been responsible for some of the world’s best groans. In fact, you could argue that the Christmas cracker helped make the dad joke famous!
At The Cracker Company, we know that the joke inside is just as important as the gift and the bang. That’s why we offer a huge selection of cracker jokes, from traditional one-liners and classic puns to family-friendly favourites that everyone can enjoy.
If you’re putting together your own crackers or simply looking for inspiration, take a look at our collection of Christmas cracker jokes and joke inserts to find the perfect punchlines. You’ll find plenty of groan-worthy gems that are guaranteed to raise a smile around the dinner table.
Of course, we are The Cracker Company, and we don’t stop at Christmas dad jokes, we have non-Christmas versions too, along with jokes for every other occasion, birthdays, Easter, Halloween, dog jokes, cat jokes, food jokes, saucy jokes… The list just goes on.
25 Best Dad Jokes
Here are 25 of our favourites, which we hope will bring a smile to your face…
1. Why don’t skeletons fight each other?
Because they don’t have the guts!
2. I only know 25 letters of the alphabet.
I don’t know Y!
3. Why can’t you trust stairs?
They’re always up to something!
4. What do you call cheese that isn’t yours?
Nacho cheese!
5. My wife complains that I don't buy her flowers. To be honest, I didn't know she sold flowers!
(This dad joke one liner is from our non-seasonal dad joke set.)
6. Why did the scarecrow win an award?
Because he was outstanding in his field!
7. What do you call a fish wearing a bow tie?
Sofishticated!
8. Why did the golfer bring two pairs of trousers?
In case he got a hole in one!
9. What do you call fake spaghetti?
Impasta!
10. Why was the turkey in a band?
He was the only one with drumsticks!
(This seasonal dad joke is from our Christmas dad joke set.)
11. Why don’t eggs tell jokes?
They’d crack each other up!
12. Did you hear about the restaurant on the moon?
Great food, no atmosphere!
13. Why couldn’t the bicycle stand up by itself?
Because it was two tired!
14. How do trees access the internet?
They log on!
15. Why was Cinderella kicked off the football team?
She ran away from the ball!
(This dreadful (and very old) dad joke is from our sport themed cracker jokes set.)
16. Why do bees have sticky hair?
Because they use honeycombs!
17. Why are elevator jokes so good?
They work on many levels.
18. Why did the coffee report itself to the police?
It got mugged!
19. Why do seagulls fly over the sea?
Because if they flew over the bay, they’d be bagels!
20. Why did the baker have smelly hands?
He kneaded a poo!
(This appalling dad joke is from our poo themed cracker jokes set – not for the faint hearted!)
21. What do you call a factory that makes products that are just good enough?
A satisfactory!
22. What do you call someone with no body and no nose?
Nobody knows!
23. What did the ocean say to the beach?
Nothing, it just waved!
24. Why did the computer go to the doctor?
Because it had a virus.
25. A bee goes into a bar. It comes out two hours later, buzzing!
(This one-liner drink themed dad joke is from our “Tipsy Time” joke set.)
Looking for More Cracker-Worthy Jokes?
If these 25 dad jokes have left you wanting more, why not explore our range of Christmas cracker joke inserts? Whether you prefer traditional groaners, festive favourites or jokes suitable for all ages, we’ve got plenty to keep family and friends laughing throughout the festive season.
After all, Christmas just wouldn’t be Christmas without someone reading out a joke that makes everyone groan!
Share Your Favourite Dad Jokes with Us
Have you got a dad joke that deserves a place on this list?
We’re always looking for new cracker-worthy jokes. Whether it’s one you’ve heard from your dad, one that’s been passed down through the family or one you’ve invented yourself, we’d love to hear it.
Leave a comment or get in touch and we may feature your joke in a future update!
After all, a good dad joke should never be kept to yourself — even if it does make everyone roll their eyes!