Tis the season not only for spooky tales but also for knock, knock jokes. It’s ironic October 31, the day so many trick-or-treaters knock on doors, is also National Knock, Knock Joke Day.
Regardless of whether you currently have young children in your life, there was a time when you were young. If you missed the opportunity for a good chuckle with knock, knock jokes, here is your chance to catch up. Knock, knock jokes are told in most English-speaking countries. They are perfectly suitable for all age groups and appropriate in most settings. Knock, knock jokes don’t require comedian skills to get a good laugh. They’re easy and simply offer a play on words to keep folks on their toes. The jokester implies knocking on a fictional door with the beginning phrase, “Knock, knock.” The listener responds by asking who is there followed by a response that is generally a name. The listener inquires further and the jokester replies with a punchline that is a pun.
Language and linguistic scholars may debate the origin of the knock, knock joke ranging anywhere from the 1700s to the 1900s. However, according to National Public Radio’s History Department, the pop culture pun currently in use dates to the 1930s. One of these early modern jokes was “Knock, knock,” followed by “Who’s there?” The knocker answered, “Rufus,” which was followed by “Rufus who?” The prankster then replied, “Rufus the most important part of your house.”
On a day so much attention centers on fright, a good knock, knock joke centers on delight. If you know children planning to trick-or-treat this year, prep them this week with a few wholesome jokes to keep the pranks fun and family-friendly.
Here are a few to get you in the groove:
Knock, knock.
Who’s there?
Dwayne.
Dwayne who?
Dwayne the bathtub, it’s overflowing!
Knock, knock.
Who’s there?
Etch.
Etch who?
Bless you.
Knock, Knock.
Who’s there?
Baby owl.
Baby owl who?
Baby owl see you later, maybe I won’t!
And here is one I loved as a child. May God bless the people who tolerated me with this joke over and over:
Knock, knock.
Who’s there?
Banana.
Banana who?
Knock, knock.
Who’s there?
Banana.
Banana who?
Knock, knock.
Who’s there?
Banana.
Banana who?
Knock, knock.
Who’s there?
Orange.
Orange who?
Orange you glad I didn’t say “banana”?
And here’s one for any smarty pants out there:
Will you remember me in a year?
Yes.
Will you remember me in a month?
Yes.
Will you remember me in a week?
Yes.
Knock, knock.
Who’s there?
See. You forgot me already.
Finally, if you want a Halloween-specific joke on National Knock, Knock Joke Day, here you go:
Knock, Knock…
Who’s there?
Ben!
Ben who?
Ben waiting to get candy all day!
