Groaner: meaning, definitions and examples

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groaner

[ˈɡrəʊnər ]

Definition

^{Context #1 | Noun}

A groaner is a joke or pun that is considered to be so old, overused, or predictable that it elicits groans from the audience rather than laughter.

cliché joke, overworked humor, tired pun.

Word	Description / Examples
groaner	This word is used for jokes that are so corny or bad that people groan in response. The humor is often simplistic or obvious. Why don't scientists trust atoms? Because they make up everything groan
cliché joke	Cliché jokes are those that are overused and no longer funny because everyone has heard them before. They often rely on stereotypes or common tropes. Why did the chicken cross the road? To get to the other side!
tired pun	A tired pun is a play on words that has been used so frequently that it no longer elicits laughter, often seen as unoriginal or uninspired. I'm reading a book on anti-gravity It's impossible to put down
overworked humor	Overworked humor refers to jokes or comedic elements that have been repeated too many times, making them lose their original impact or humor. Someone pulling the same prank every week eventually becomes overworked humor

It was such a groaner when the comedian told that 'dad joke' about the chicken crossing the road.
The punchline of the joke was such a groaner that no one in the audience even cracked a smile.

The term 'groaner' emerged in the English language in the 1970s, originating from the verb 'groan' which means to make a low sound of pain or discomfort.
Its use in comedy often describes jokes that provoke a reaction of mock disapproval or eye-rolling rather than hearty laughter.
The playful nature of groaners is reflected in their structure, often relying on puns or simple wordplay.

Groaners are notoriously prevalent in family-friendly entertainment, making appearances in children's cartoons and movies as a way to engage younger audiences.
They often surface during comedic routines or sitcoms, where characters tell a bad joke to elicit a comedic response from viewers.
Popular TV shows like 'The Simpsons' and 'Friends' frequently incorporate groaners to highlight their characters' personalities.

Research suggests that groaners might serve a social bonding function, where people share a collective eye-roll before laughing at the absurdity of the joke.
The discomfort created by groaners can lead to laughter, as it provides a release from the awkwardness, demonstrating an interesting aspect of human humor.
Such jokes often operate on a cognitive dissonance principle, where the expectation of a good punchline contrasts sharply with the actual subpar delivery.

Many comedians use groaners in their acts to establish a rapport with the audience, as the shared experience of discomfort enhances connection.
Notable authors and humorists, like Douglas Adams and Mark Twain, have played with groan-worthy humor in their writings, often making light of the human experience.
Groaners can be found in children's literature, intended to amuse while creating engagement, such as in Dr. Seuss’s playful rhyme.

Studies on humor indicate that bad jokes, like groaners, can stimulate areas of the brain associated with social processing and emotional response.
Linguistically, groaners rely on puns – a form of word play that often triggers a quick processing response in the brain, revealing our cognitive flexibility.
Understanding why certain jokes elicit groans involves examining cultural context, as humor can vary significantly based on regional references and wordplay.

Translations of the word "groaner" in other languages:

🇵🇹 lamentador

🇮🇳 कराहने वाला

🇩🇪 Stöhner

🇮🇩 pengeluh

🇺🇦 стогнальник

🇵🇱 jęczyciel

🇯🇵 うめき声を上げる人

🇫🇷 geignard

🇪🇸 quejica

🇹🇷 inleyen

🇰🇷 신음하는 사람

🇸🇦 المتذمر

🇨🇿 stěžovatel

🇸🇰 kňučal

🇨🇳 呻吟者

🇸🇮 stokajoč

🇮🇸 stynjandi

🇰🇿 ыңырлау

🇬🇪 ძახილი

🇦🇿 inildəyən

🇲🇽 quejumbroso