3. The set up and punchline

You can learn a lot about language and culture by trying to understand humor.

The stand-up comedian said there are two parts to a joke. Can you remember what those parts are?

Two parts to a joke

What are the two parts of a joke?

There are many kinds of jokes of course, but one popular kind of joke is the question-and-answer joke.

A question and answer joke usually follows the same format every time.

First, look at the table below and notice What you do.

Next, listen to the audio and read What you say as you hear the joke.

(Click on the links to hear these expressions being used.)

What you do:	What you say:
First, introduce the joke	Hey, I’ve got a joke for you! Hey, wanna hear a joke? So,...
Respond	Yeah, what is it?
Ask a question	What did the Pacific Ocean say to the Mississippi River?
Say ‘Wh-?’ or Repeat the question	I don’t know. What? I don’t know. What did the Pacific Ocean say to the Mississippi River?
Say the ‘punchline’	Nothing. It just waved!

Wait for a response….

It's important to respond right away to the punchline. Your response will be different depending on if you get the joke or don't get the joke.

Listen to the joke again and notice what you say if you get the joke or don't get the joke.

If you don't get the joke:

Joke teller explains:

You know… “waved”…The wave of an ocean…? To wave… like to wave your hand. Get it?

Do you know the two meanings of wave?

If you do get the joke:

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