Results: This is a survey about the paronomasia, more commonly known as a "pun". It is a form of word play that exploits multiple meanings of a term, or of similar-sounding words, for an intended humorous effect.
Published on 07/24/2025
Puns have a long history, going back to at least Greek and Roman times. For all we know Jesus and or Mohammad may have been punsters. Puns may be used in all languages or ethnic groups (if this is or isn't true, please comment). I know the Brits and the French like them. Some puns elicit a belly laugh but that is not the usual result. More commonly the response to a pun is a raised eyebrow and a groan. Here are some groan-worthy puns and, if you have some of your own favorites to share, please do so in the comment section.
QUESTIONS
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Comments
1.
1.
Here are the first three. You may recognize the first one because it has been recycled over decades. Just because a pun is well known does not mean it is a good one. Quite the opposite in fact. Which of these puns do you "like"?
His wife has gone to the West Indies for a 2 month vacation. His friend says "Jamaica"? Answer: "No it was her own idea."
24%
513 votes
From George Carlin ""Atheism is a non-prophet institution."
30%
636 votes
You can tune a guitar, but you can't tuna fish. Unless of course, you play bass.
29%
608 votes
Not Interested
44%
925 votes
2.
2.
Sometimes a pun can be a visual, such as in the one illustrated. Even then, it relies on a play on words for its punch line. Here are three more. Which of the three do you "like"?
What's the difference between a hippo and a zippo? The first is really heavy and the second is a little lighter.
32%
673 votes
(Puns in combination) Why can a man never starve in the Great Desert? Because he can eat the sand which is there. But what brought the sandwiches there? Why, Noah sent Ham, and his descendants mustered and bred.
19%
409 votes
Two guys walk into a bar. The THIRD one, ducked.
26%
554 votes
Not Interested
46%
961 votes
3.
3.
Puns are also used in advertising such as the one in the illustration. Here are three other examples. The more groan-worthy they are, the more they are likely to grab our attention. Are the companies who used the following advertising puns worthy of your money?
From a moving company: "We don't charge an arm and a leg because we want your tows."
22%
461 votes
From Kraft : Lettuce, Count the Ways – Kraft Dressings
29%
606 votes
House of Fraser (UK Dept. store) has a good one: "Temptation on Every Level"
19%
403 votes
Not Interested
50%
1043 votes
4.
4.
Of course, when it comes to humor, the gutter is never far away. Puns are no exception, and some of them can be quite rude. Here are three puns that might be in bad taste. If you lack a sense of humor or have higher standards in comedy than I do, then just skip to the "Not Interested" option. For the rest of you, which of the following puns do you find amusing?
Man who farts in church sits in his own pew!
25%
525 votes
Crowded elevator always smells different to a midget.
27%
567 votes
Confucius say: Women who wear Victoria's Secret, have few secrets.
25%
519 votes
Not Interested
51%
1081 votes
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