joke English · revision 3944

+ {{infobox|confidence=probable|formation=borrowing|attested=1670|origins=la iocus}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /dʒəʊk/, US /dʒoʊk/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It was originally slang,^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)^(NODE 1998) probably [[bor|la|iocus|t=joke, jest, sport, pastime]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986) from Proto-Italic *joko-, from [[ine-pro|*yek-|t=to speak]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) the source also of Welsh iaith “language” and Old High German jehan “to say”.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) The SOED compares German Jux “joke, spree” and Dutch jok “jest”.^(SOED 2002) The verb is from the noun or from Latin iocārī “to jest”.^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002) It is related to [[jocular]], [[jocund]], [[juggle]] and [[jewel]].^(Cresswell 2021)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Something said or done to excite laughter: 1670 in the OED and Barnhart, spelled joque,^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986) the 1660s in Etymonline.^(Etymonline) The verb, “to make jokes”, is also from 1670.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ “Something not serious, a jesting matter” is from 1726, and ''no joke'' means a serious matter;^(OED 1989) a laughing-stock is from 1791,^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) and “someone or something not to be taken seriously” from 1791 in Etymonline.^(Etymonline) ''Black joke'' was old slang for a smutty song (1733).^(Etymonline) The verb “to poke fun at” is from 1748,^(OED 1989) and ''you must be joking'' and the like, expressing disbelief, from 1907.^(OED 1989) The ''joker'' is one who jokes from 1729, and the odd card in a pack from 1885.^(Barnhart 1988) Johnson defined joke as “a jest; something not serious”.^(Johnson 1755)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1670 – a jest; verb, to make jokes.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1726 – a jesting matter.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1729 – ''joker''.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1748 – to make fun of.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1791 – a laughing-stock.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+ * 1907 – ''you must be joking''.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # Something said or done to cause laughter, especially a short story with a [[punch line]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # A mischievous [[trick]]; a prank.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # An amusing or absurd situation.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # Something not to be taken seriously, or an object of ridicule.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To tell or play jokes; to [[jest]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # To speak in fun.^(AHD)

+ # To make fun of; to tease.^(MW Collegiate)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[jokingly]]

+ * [[jokeless]]

+ * [[jokester]]

+ * [[joky]]

+ * [[jokey]]

+ * [[in-joke]]

+ * [[practical joke]]

+ * [[running joke]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[jocular]]

+ * [[joker]]

+ * [[jocund]]

+ * [[juggle]]

+ * [[jewel]]

+ * [[jest]]

+ * [[jeopardy]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}