Best Knock Knock Jokes
Knock knock jokes are short, witty one line gags for when you’re looking for a laugh. Though their simple structure makes them easy to understand, the best knock-knock jokes tightly interweave wordplay, comedy, and surprise to produce big laughs from a few punny words.
In this article, we explore some of the funniest knock knock jokes in existence. We look at the history of this classic gag, analyze the different types of punchlines you can use, and provide some of the biggest knock knock successes to give you a better understanding of what a good knock knock joke looks like. So, without further ado, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of knock knock giggles.
A Brief History of Knock Knock Jokes
While the term “knock knock” wasn’t officially coined until the 1950s, this type of joke dates back to at least the 1500s. This particular structure of jokes, categorized as anticipatory setup jokes, first appeared in print during the Elizabethan era, when English playwright and poet, William Shakespeare, wrote the following in The Merry Wives of Windsor:
“Neighbours, you are tedious
Knocking all this while;
I pray you, with patience,
That I may answer you.”
Though this popularized the concept of the setup joke, knock knock jokes in particular remain a mystery in terms of who invented them and when. Regardless, this structure of jokes has been around for generations, each building on the antecedents before them to refine the art of puns, wordplay, and surprise.
The Different Types of Knock Knock Jokes
Knock knock jokes can be broadly classified into two main types, depending on their form and structure:
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Classic Knock Knock Jokes: This is the established structure for knock knock jokes and often involves punny wordplay and famous phrases. In this type of knock knock joke, the setup is always structured in the same way and ends with the classic “knock knock” at the start of the joke. An example of this type of joke is: “Knock knock, who’s there? Ice cream. Ice cream who? Ice cream if you don’t let me in.”
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Variational Knock Knock Jokes: This type of knick knock joke is almost like a mashup of the classic knock knock joke and the riddle. These jokes start with a setup that is similar to the classic structure but swerves into the form of a riddle. An example of this type of knock knock joke is: “Knock knock, who’s there? Little old lady. Little old lady who? Wow, I didn’t know you could yodel.”
A few standout examples of knock knock jokes use elements of both of the aforementioned styles, combining the classic setup with the riddling structure to create a unique joke structure of their own. Let’s go through some of them now.
The Best Knock Knock Jokes
No matter the occasion, nothing can lighten the mood better than a good knock knock joke. Here are some of the best knock knock jokes that you can use to create humor and break the ice:
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Knock knock.
Who’s there?
Interrupting cow.
Interrupting cow wh—
MOO! -
Knock knock.
Who’s there?
Boo.
Boo who?
Don’t cry, it’s just a joke. -
Knock knock.
Who’s there?
Mustache.
Mustache who?
Mustache you a question, but I’ll shave it for later. -
Knock knock.
Who’s there?
Hatch.
Hatch who?
Bless you! -
Knock knock.
Who’s there?
Control freak.
Control freak who?
Control freak all you like, but you still have to let me in.
Knock knock jokes have been around for centuries and remain a popular source of humor to this day. The best knock knock jokes use elements of surprise, puns, and wordplay to deliver a message that the audience doesn’t expect. As such, learning how to construct a good knock knock joke can help you break the ice at any event and keep your audience rolling with laughter.
Whether you’re a fan of classic knock knock jokes or like trying something new, the five jokes listed in this article are some of the funniest you can find. With a good repertoire of knock knock jokes, you can be sure to get plenty of laughs no matter the occasion.
