well, in the novel "the scarlet letter," which takes place in a 17th century puritan town, committing adultery is punishable by several things, but most notably by having to wear a scarlet "A" on everything ("A" standing for adulterer) it plays on your expectations that the "A" in the joke's premise references academics and introduces a literary reference which creates a sense of surprise (the basis of most humor), and entertains because, despite the presumed premise proving false, the punchline of the joke remains applicable
that's how it's supposed to work, in any case
i know there are more usual jokes ... knock knock jokes, for instance... but i don't entirely understand them when i read them it depends entirely on delivery ... which it seems i don't have?
no subject
which takes place in a 17th century puritan town,
committing adultery is punishable by several things,
but most notably by having to wear a scarlet "A" on everything
("A" standing for adulterer)
it plays on your expectations that the "A" in the joke's premise references academics
and introduces a literary reference
which creates a sense of surprise
(the basis of most humor),
and entertains because, despite the presumed premise proving false,
the punchline of the joke remains applicable
that's how it's supposed to work, in any case
i know there are more usual jokes ... knock knock jokes, for instance...
but i don't entirely understand them when i read them
it depends entirely on delivery ... which it seems i don't have?
( without wit he is Nothing )