History of Joke in Timeline

A joke is a short, humorous narrative, typically oral, designed to elicit laughter. It employs a defined structure, often featuring dialogue, and culminates in a punchline that reveals the source of humor. This humor can arise from wordplay, irony, logical inconsistencies, or hyperbole. The punchline is crucial as it provides the highest point of tension, with no further continuation to relieve it. While jokes can be written, their transmission doesn't require verbatim reproduction, unlike poetry. The core element of a joke is its ability to create amusement through a well-crafted narrative and a surprising, funny conclusion.

1900: Ancient Sumerian Proverb

In 1900 BC, an ancient Sumerian proverb, considered the oldest identified joke, was recorded. This joke features toilet humor and is about a young woman who did not fart in her husband's lap.

1905: Freud's Jokes and their Relation to the Unconscious

In 1905, Sigmund Freud published "Jokes and their Relation to the Unconscious," where he explored the social nature of humour and differentiated between jokes, humour, and the comic.

Jokes and Their Relation to the Unconscious (Complete Psychological Works of Sigmund Freud)

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1910: Aarne-Thompson Index Includes Jokes

In 1910, the Aarne-Thompson index, first published, included anecdotes and jokes under their own heading, recognizing their importance in folklore.

1910: Aarne-Thompson Classification System Published

In 1910, the Aarne–Thompson classification system was first published by Antti Aarne. This system, later expanded by Stith Thompson, organized European folktales and oral literature, including anecdotes and jokes.

1925: The New Yorker's First Publication

In 1925, The New Yorker magazine was first published. It aimed to be a "sophisticated humour magazine" and is still known for its cartoons.

1930: Jokes as Simple Forms of Oral Literature

In 1930, André Jolles identified jokes as one of the "simple forms" of oral literature. They have been collected and studied by folklorists and anthropologists.

1985: Publication of Semantic Mechanisms of Humor

In 1985, Victor Raskin published "Semantic Mechanisms of Humor", introducing the Script-based Semantic Theory of Humour (SSTH), which identifies linguistic conditions and mechanisms that make a text funny.

[(Semantic Mechanisms of Humor)] [Author: Victor Raskin] published on (December, 1984)

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March 1986: Shift in Challenger Disaster Humor

In March 1986, following the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster, an analysis revealed a change in the type of humor circulated. Jokes shifted from clever wordplay to grim imagery, serving to provide closure and signal a move towards more immediate concerns.

1989: Founding of the International Society for Humor Studies

In 1989, the International Society for Humor Studies was founded. Its purpose is to promote interdisciplinary study of humour. It publishes Humor: International Journal of Humor Research and holds yearly conferences.

1993: Audience-Based Theory of Verbal Humor

In 1993, Amy Carrell proposed an "audience-based theory of verbal humor", contributing to a new generation of humour theories.

2007: Survey of Humour Measurement Tools

In 2007, a survey identified over 60 psychological instruments to measure humour, using methods like tracking smiles via the Facial Action Coding System (FACS) or analyzing laughter. The survey highlighted challenges in standardization and accounting for individual and situational differences.