totally practical. I mean it to go to work for you at work today. After dissecting exactly what a joke is, we cover main joke forms. Illustrations mostly come from the world of work. All types of work. Because funny is serious, I actually provide some history of how we got here – humor changes over time. And I provide high tone information about why humor is important and useful at work. While academic, this section too is useful in defense of your hilarious new personality.
The book is leavened with business humor. Of course, you would never steal this material or make slight alternations to apply to your situation. You would use it “homage” to this book, made all the more sacred by omitting credit.
That’s about enough of this. Now on to work!
The Basics of a Working Joke
Two part construction: set up and punchline.
To err is human but to really foul things up you need a computer.
The set up is before the word but. The punchline is after. Even this simple, one sentence joke has both parts of a joke. People frequently fail at being humorous in their writing because they go straight to the punchline without a sufficient set up.
An important element of humor is surprise. People often laugh simply because they are surprised. Ever walk around a corner and almost run into someone coming from the other direction? Did you laugh? The only humor here is surprise. So start the joke by pointing in one direction and take your reader the other way.
One thing about mischievous youngsters is they get their parents home from the party early.
This joke seems to be about young people and keeping them out of trouble. Instead, it ends with the recognition that even adults like to get in trouble from time to time.
But at work announce the joke
People laugh at comedy clubs because they want to laugh. They expect to be entertained. Not so for the typical reader of your work memo. You have to first establish that expectation. Use phrases such as “a funny thing happened”; “isn’t it odd when”; or “you’ll love this.” The possibility for misunderstanding in written humor is immense. Much humor, in fact, depends on misdirection as we just noted. But don’t allow your little joke to be taken the wrong way. Usher your reader into the realm of humor. Then move on.
Use self-depreciation but don’t put yourself down
Many people are familiar within this form. It’s a natural for work. A common type of humor is making fun of others – even to the point of cruelty. We know that’s not appropriate in the work place. So we do something similar by making fun of ourselves – somebody who would have great difficulty stabbing us in the back. Beginning humor writers trying to break into the business almost turn to this type of humor. You’ve seen newspaper columns about the beset upon character who has troubles all day long. The urge to make fun or yourself – which does not create enemies – is a strong one and often works out. But once again be careful at work. Don’t get so carried away with being funny that you put yourself in a bad light. Writing is hard to recall once you have realized a mistake. Rely on universal traits because the reader can identify. Look at how comedian Gary Shandling always asks if his hair looks okay. He is making fun of his own vanity but in a way that many people can relate to.
If you are always the one who is late, don’t make a joke about that. Punctuality is an important trait at work. Instead make a joke about how foolish people are if they think they are in such control that their projects will always stay on schedule.
More and more these days I find myself pondering how to reconcile my net income with my gross habits
Be yourself, not Jay Leno
Jerry Seinfeld said, “The whole object of comedy is to be yourself and the closer you get to that, the funnier you will be.” When you paint yourself the clown people can’t understand that. You are the person in the next cubicle – working at a job much like theirs. If you are laboring hard for a joke, that’s usually a sign to let it go. Be pleased with a small bit of humor; it’s not necessary to have boffo laughs every time – in fact that can get tiring.
To make money last you have to make it first.
Have a Target
Sadly, humor is always making fun of somebody or something. Jokes about the Department Manager, of course, are hilarious. And not worth the grief. Again, know your audience and pick accordingly. Some safe targets: competing company; traffic; demon coffee: golfers; a funny thing in this morning’s news; sometimes a rival department. A common target for people is lawyers. That may work for you. But if the Department Manager is a lawyer – you see where this is going. What if nobody is a lawyer but they are married to one (it’s possible). So know your audience means more than knowing their names.
Don’t make fun of your own ethnic group. People may not know you half Italian and half Irish (I am) and laugh along with you. And the other Mickie-Wops (Dago-Paddys?) may not subscribe to your theory that it’s okay to insult your own tribe.
Some targets to consider: rival company; different sports team at your company (careful); TV newscasters; traffic; city hall (unless you work there). Here’s somebody else you can make fun of:
If Microsoft built cars, every time they repainted the lines on the road, you'd have to buy a new car.
Go easy
One joke a memo is good. After all, your reader is at work, not at a club. They want to get information so they can get their work done on time so they can go home and have fun. If you want to establish yourself as funny – and there’s nothing wrong with such a reputation – work on the long haul. Don’t expect to entertain the world overnight.
Keep the joke short
Humor is not the goal. It is a tool to get the job done. What does it serve you if your prospect is laughing but not buying? No complex set up. Keep the humor to a line or two.
When it comes to helping you, some people stop at nothing.
That joke took 11 words, about one printed line. That’s all you need. Brevity is the soul of wit.
Be
