Jokes & Facts

Short Jokes

Tap for a joke short enough to remember after one read and tell from memory in one breath.

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What do you call a three-legged donkey? A wonkey.

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A short joke is a complete joke in one or two lines: a question and its punch, or a single sentence with a twist at the end. This pool leans toward jokes you can say in one breath and still recall tomorrow, which is why most of them are puns, quick turnarounds and small observations.

To tell a short joke well, say the setup at normal speed, stop for half a second, then say the punchline slower and a little lower. With so few words, the pause is where the laugh comes from. For sharper material see the best one-liners.

Short Jokes FAQ

How do I remember a short joke after reading it once?

Memorize the last word first, since the punchline is the part people forget. Then say the setup in your own words and finish with the exact ending.

How long can a short joke be?

Under about twenty words is a good ceiling. Past that, the listener starts waiting for the end instead of enjoying the setup.

Where do short jokes work best?

Text threads, birthday cards, whiteboards, lunchbox notes and the first ten seconds of a talk. Any place the audience gives you a single breath of attention.

What is the difference between a short joke and a pun?

A pun is a kind of wordplay, and many short jokes use one. A short joke can also be a twist of logic or a quick observation with no wordplay at all.