knock-knock
Punchline setup ritual
Knock-knock is the opening of a formulaic joke.
The teller says "knock-knock," the listener responds "who's there?", the teller gives a name or word, the listener repeats it with "who?", and the teller delivers a pun: Knock-knock. Who's there? Boo. Boo who? Don't cry, it's just a joke.
The format is so familiar that knock-knock alone can signal a joke is coming.
rap
Quick sharp blow
punchline
Humor's final delivery
gag · riddle · humor · comedy · funny · silly · playful · groan · corny · cheesy
knock-knockshaggy dog story
Lengthy joke with absurd anticlimax
anecdote · one-liner · riddle · deadpan humor · stand-up routine
knock-knockintellectual humor
Comedy requiring background knowledge
dry humor · satire · black comedy · subtle humor · dark comedy
knock-knockriddle
Puzzling question to solve
brain teaser · enigma · conundrum · puzzle
knock, knockout, knocking, knocked, knocker, knocks, knockoff, knockers, knockdown