groaners
Eye-roll inducing jokes
Groaners are jokes or puns so corny, predictable, or painfully unfunny that they elicit groans rather than laughter from the audience.
The term captures that peculiar category of humor—especially dad jokes and obvious puns—where the reaction of mock suffering is itself part of the enjoyment.
He's known for his groaners about why the chicken crossed the road.
Despite the name, groaners often provoke reluctant smiles alongside the theatrical groaning.
Verbal wit techniques
- punsterWordplay practitioner
- play-on-wordsJoke exploiting double meanings
- double-entendreWords with suggestive second meaning
- homophonesIdentically pronounced words
paronomasia · corny · knock-knock · one-liners · gags · clunkers · knee-slappers · rib-ticklers
Lacking grace or ease
- embarrassmentSelf-conscious unease
- discomfortMild physical or mental distress
- winceReflexive recoil from distress
- grimaceTwisted expression of displeasure
flinch · squirm · mortification · gaffe · tactless · blush · shame · cringe-worthy
wordplay
Verbal wit techniques
- punsterWordplay practitioner
- play-on-wordsJoke exploiting double meanings
- double-entendreWords with suggestive second meaning
homophones · paronomasia · corny · knock-knock · one-liners · gags · clunkers · knee-slappers · rib-ticklers · zingers
awkward
Lacking grace or ease
- embarrassmentSelf-conscious unease
- discomfortMild physical or mental distress
- winceReflexive recoil from distress
grimace · flinch · squirm · mortification · gaffe · tactless · blush · shame · cringe-worthy · painful
groanerszingers
Clever cutting remarks
knee-slappers · comedy gold · belly laughs · crowd-pleasers · showstoppers
groanerswitticisms
Clever, amusing remarks
bon mots · sharp wit · clever wordplay · subtle humor · zingers