By Ben Gazur
Fact-checked by Darci Heikkinen
Humor transcends time and culture, and some ancient jokes have surprisingly stood the test of millennia. Here are ten jokes from history that might still bring a chuckle today!
10. The First Bar Joke
The oldest recorded bar joke comes from ancient Sumer: “A dog walks into a bar and says, ‘I cannot see a thing. I’ll open this one.’” While the punchline may baffle modern audiences, it’s a fascinating glimpse into early humor, though its exact meaning remains lost to time.
9. The First Joke Book
In the ancient Greek collection Philogelos (meaning "The Laughter Lover"), one joke goes: “A pedant almost drowned while swimming. He swore he wouldn’t go into the water again until he learned to swim well.” This collection features wit that spans the spectrum from clever to absurd.
8. Early Cartoons
Dating back to around 1200 BC, an Egyptian ostracon depicts a mouse sitting on a throne while a cat serves it. This humorous reversal of roles suggests a playful take on the typical predator-prey relationship, showing that humor often relies on subverting expectations.
7. Saxon Rude Riddles
An Anglo-Saxon riddle goes: “A wondrous thing hangs by a man’s thigh, under its lord’s clothing. In front, there is a hole.” The answer? A key! This riddle showcases the clever wordplay enjoyed by the Anglo-Saxons, blending innuendo with linguistic creativity.
6. Jokes from Rome
The Roman poet Juvenal was known for his sharp humor. He wrote, “After all, isn’t every street packed with sad-looking perverts?” His satires often tackled societal issues with biting wit, providing a glimpse into the comedic landscape of ancient Rome.
5. Latin Jokes
The first printed joke book, The Facetiae, includes a humorous tale about a cardinal who asks for a breeze. His secretary humorously provides one by emitting a loud fart, showcasing how bodily humor has persisted through the ages.
4. Pharaoh Mockery
The Westcar Papyrus recounts how a magician entertained Pharaoh Sneferu by bringing young women to row on a royal lake. The humor lies in the absurdity of the situation—how do you entertain a bored pharaoh? By sailing a boatload of young women dressed in fishing nets!
3. Aristophanes’ Old Comedy
The plays of Aristophanes, known for their absurd plots and sharp humor, often included jokes about bodily functions. In The Clouds, he humorously critiques philosophers by having them study ridiculous topics, illustrating how humor can be both clever and irreverent.
2. Extensive Gleanings from the Forest of Laughter
The Xiaolin Guangji, a Chinese joke collection from the Ming and Qing dynasties, features jokes about everything from wealth to bodily humor. One tale amusingly demonstrates the folly of a rich man who boasts about his fortune, only to be met with the clever retort from a poor man.
1. The Oldest Fart Joke
Dating back to 1900 BC, the oldest known joke comes from Mesopotamia: “Something which has never occurred since time immemorial; a young woman did not fart in her husband’s lap.” This timeless humor shows that even ancient cultures found amusement in bodily functions.
These ancient jokes remind us that humor is a universal language, often revolving around the same themes, no matter the era. Laughter truly knows no boundaries!