Tell a Joke Day

Tell a Joke Day is August 16th

Mark your calendars to celebrate Tell A Joke Day on August 16th and see just how good laughter will make you feel. The Oxford Dictionary defines a joke as “a thing that someone says to cause amusement or laughter, especially a story with a funny punchline.” Tell a Joke Day is the day to make jokes and have some fun sharing in the laughter. 

Did you hear about the new restaurant on the moon?
Great food but no atmosphere.

Where do cows go on Friday night?
To the MOOvie theater.

Which Star Wars character works at a restaurant?
Darth Waiter

The teacher called Little Johnny to her desk. “Johnny,” she said, “this essay you’ve written about your pet dog is exactly the same essay your brother has written.” “Of course it is,” explained Johnny. “It’s the same dog!”

If these silly little jokes brought a smile to your face or a laugh to your belly, then you’ve experienced first hand how humor can bring happiness at absolutely no cost! It was the great British comic actor, filmmaker and composer, Charlie Chaplin, who said, “A day without laughter is a day wasted.”

There’s much clinical evidence to support the statement, “Laughter is the best medicine.” According to Hara Estroff Marano of Psychology Today, laughter reduces pain and allows us to tolerate discomfort. It establishes, or restores, a positive emotional climate and a sense of connection between two people. It also puts your abdominal muscles to use and releases endorphins, a chemical in your brain that leads to feelings of happiness, even euphoria. Jokes have been a part of our culture since at least 1900 B.C. when jokes about “flatuating” were very popular.

Fun Ways to Celebrate Tell A Joke Day

• Email or text your favorite jokes to your friends on August 16 and tell them to pass along the fun.
• Go to a local comedy club.
• Buy a joke book and read it on your lunch hour. Choose your favorites to tell at the dinner table.
• Have a joke contest among family and friends. See who can come up with the best original joke.
• Watch a rerun of a classic comedy like I Love Lucy or any comedy that offers good belly-laugh jokes. 

How Tell A Joke Day Unites People

Who doesn’t love to laugh? Did you know that laughter synchronizes the brains of the speaker and listener so that they are emotionally attuned? Share the joy of a good joke with your loved ones, your co-workers or even a stranger. It will do every relationship some good!

Some jokes bring belly laughter.

Some jokes make people feel welcome.

And some jokes...can illicit very different responses!