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The “Round Tuit” is a circular, coin sized disk often made out of wood, but could be other materials, with the word “TUIT” printed or engraved. Sometimes they’re accompanied by additional engravings that say something along the lines of “This is a Round Tuit. Guard it with your life, as Tuits are hard to come by, especially the round ones. This is an indispensable item. It will help you become a more efficient worker. For years we have heard people say, I’ll do it as soon as I get a Round Tuit. Now that you have one, you can accomplish all those things you put aside until you got a Round Tuit!” - Context
I learned about Round Tuits when I was a child, perhaps around 6 or 7, and barely understanding the concept. I discovered one laying around at my grandma’s house and asked what it was. My mom explained the idea, and told me how my grandpa used to own them and pull one out whenever someone would say, “I’ll do it when I get around to it.” We used to have one wooden one and one red plastic one, and for a while as a kid I would hold on to them in case I had the opportunity to give one to somebody. - Interpretation
My interpretation of this folk object is that it’s merely punny humor in the form of an item and right up the alley of my parents and grandparents. I can see how an object like this would be a funny interjection in a conversation and could also even fall into the category of dad jokes.
Tag Archives: Joke
Rindercella
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Rindercella is essentially the story of Cinderella, but with some letters mixed up in some of the words. For example, “Rindercella lived with her mugly other and her two sad bisters, and there was a very prandsome hince.” and, “at the pancy farty, Rindercella slopped her dripper!” - Context
Rindercella is a story I first heard in 2021, told by a “camp dad” at the summer camp I work at. He told this story at our “big campfire” assembly and it was a huge hit. I had never heard of the concept before, let alone knew its origin, I just thought it was hilarious. I would think that the context that this joke/story is told is similar to my experience; an adult telling it to a group of kids, or even other adults. I would think it would be incredibly entertaining to anyone, as the words are ridiculous and if the storyteller knows it well, it’s very impressive. - Interpretation
My interpretation is that Rindercella is an extremely entertaining take/revival of a classic story. There’s a slight uncomfortable feeling when you’re listening to the story being told, because it feels like the storyteller is on the verge of a slip-up and/or saying a nasty word. Nevertheless, Rindercella has its listeners both on the edge of their seats and doubled over in laughter. The storyteller from whom I encountered this story told it with such a straight face and lack of mistakes, that I left feeling entirely impressed.
Jokes – word play
Text:
“What are the strongest days of the week?”
“Saturday and Sunday. The others are all weekdays.”
Context:
DT is an 18 year old from Southern California. He is currently living in Colorado while attending Colorado State University, Fort Collins. He loves telling silly jokes and, when he was younger, he even had books on jokes. This joke was told to me over the phone when I asked him for one of his favorite jokes that he had recently heard. It came from a friend of his that lives on his floor in his dorm. My informant’s friend is originally from Colorado.
Analysis:
This joke uses the homonyms “week” and “weak” to create word play. “Weekday” is used improperly to refer to the strength of the day. This play on words means the joke works better when told orally to someone rather than written out. Since the use of the words is the basis of the joke, it is likely that it only works in English. This points to the joke’s origin in an English speaking culture. It is also interesting that the two days of the week that are the “strongest” are the two days that most Americans (and other cultures) enjoy the most because they are traditionally the days off from school or work. It is also a joke with no inappropriate or crude humor. This means it can be appreciated by children and adults alike. It can be told in many different settings to a wide variety of people and still be appreciated. Because of the nature of word play jokes, it is unlikely that it gets everyone who hears it laughing hysterically, but it is likely to produce some light chuckles from those who appreciate these types of jokes.
Joke – animal pun
Text:
“Why can’t a leopard hide?”
“He’s always spotted.”
Context:
DT is an 18 year old who was born and raised in Southern California. He is currently attending Colorado State University, Fort Collins. He loves jokes almost as much as he loves animals. He told me this joke over the phone when I asked about what his favorite jokes were. He informed me that he originally heard this joke from one of his professors in an animal biology class.
Analysis:
This joke is interesting in a few ways. First, this joke uses homophones as its main tool. The use of the word “spotted” refers to two different meanings, both of which are engaged in the joke. Leopards are covered in small spots, but this word also refers to being seen because the leopard can’t hide. This joke is essentially a pun. It’s also interesting to note the complete falsity of the joke. It claims that leopards cannot hide well because of their spots, when in reality, their spotted nature helps them blend in tremendously well with their natural environment. Understanding this adds another layer of humor to the joke because it adds to the silliness. This joke was told in an academic setting in an animal biology class where many hearing it would probably understand the humorous inaccuracies, where if told to a person outside of this community, they might believe this to be an accurate joke.
Inevitable Adam & Eve
Original:
ادم سأل حوا: بتحبيني يا مرا
جاوبته حوا: ليش في غيرك يا خرا
Transliteration:
Adam Sa’al Howaa’: Bit’hebeene ya mara?
Jawabat Howaa’: Laysh fi ghayrak ya khara?
Translation:
“Adam asked Eve: Do you love me, woman?”
“Eve answered: Why? Is there anyone besides you, stupid?”
The informant is one of my family members who was raised in Lebanon by parents who spent the entirety of their lives there and gained an understanding of jokes that are told within households and gatherings.
Context:
The informant described this joke as “A very old joke told traditionally in men gathering as it’s too rude to be said in front of women out of respect” conveying that this was usually told in the public eye, yet not in front of women as it is seen as a ‘male joke’. She also stated that “They use this type of short funny jokes when men gather and drink Arak, the traditional Lebanese alcoholic drink” It is usually said by men that are older in age when choosing to discuss topics besides work and family as that was seen as “bad territory” when around family.
Analysis:
This type of male joke in Lebanese culture is most likely said in these environments to state dominance, however, in this instance, the joke refers to ‘Adam’ being the joke, therefore they are laughing at their own gender conveying that they feel safe in the space that they are in together and have developed a close bond. It is because of the irony in the story as the Christian religion encapsulates a large majority of the Lebanese population, therefore, using this type of humour allows the men to feel more connected culturally and see each other as a family. The story of Adam and Eve is most likely brought up to highlight the intimacy that a family might have with one another. However, this may be an allusion to arranged marriages as Lebanon and other arab countries have been known to use their children as transactions between businesses therefore the ‘inevitable relationship’ of Adam and Eve might have alluded to their forced marriages.