National Tell An Old Joke Day: History, Facts & Insights

This is an in-depth look at all the must-know facts about National Tell An Old Joke Day (2024) 🗓️ that no one tells you about. National Tell An Old Joke Day is observed on July 24th.

Among the information you’ll find below: the history of National Tell An Old Joke Day, activities to do on and how to observe this holiday, as well as amusing facts you might want to know about National Tell An Old Joke Day.

📅 What day is National Tell An Old Joke Day 2024?

In 2024, National Tell An Old Joke Day is on Monday, July 24th. It is the 4th Monday in July; in 2024, it is Wednesday. There are until the next observance. You also can see all fascinating details and facts about July 24, 2023, that you might not be aware of.

“Knock-knock!” “Who’s there?” “Who is Boo?” No need to fret, National Tell an Old Joke Day is here on July 24th! It’s a fantastic opportunity to keep classic jokes thriving. Just like endangered animals, old jokes need occasional rejuvenation. Let’s bring happiness, laughter, and fond memories by sharing those jokes that everyone still remembers.

📜 National Tell An Old Joke Day History

The ancient Romans had their own collections of jokes, similar to “jestbooks”. Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus, a Roman historian, mentions a professor of the emperor Augustus who compiled over 150 joke anthologies. Additionally, the playwright Titus Maccius Plautus frequently referenced these joke collections in his plays.

During the Dark Ages, comedy was preserved in the Arab world when “Philogelos” went missing. Along with these jokes, their sarcastic folktales and comedy spread worldwide. When these folktales reached Europe, they were divided into two parts: a longer book and a shorter, funnier narrative.

In the early Renaissance, Poggio Bracciolini played a significant role in reviving jokes. As an Italian humanist and secretary to eight popes, Poggio traveled across Europe in search of lost books. His satirical work, compiled in the book “Facetiae,” was greatly influenced by the Bugiale, a joke club of sorts. Unfortunately, copies of “Facetiae” are now difficult to find, but it contains 273 jokes, puns, bon mots, and hilarious tales.

Poggio’s jokes even made their way into the first English joke book, and by the time Shakespeare arrived, joke books had become immensely popular. The unintentional publication of 28 jokes from “Philogelos” in a volume of “Commentary on the Golden Words of Pythagoras” further spread jokes throughout Europe. As a result, jokes became shorter and more concise, reflecting their growing popularity.

A notable joke book from the Georgian period is “Joe Miller’s Jests,” which was inspired by a famous but gloomy London theater performer. By the end of the 19th century, joke books had become more refined, with vulgar language being removed. They were often used as filler in earlier printed books, providing readers with something enjoyable to anticipate.

✅ National Tell An Old Joke Day Facts

🔖 The second joke is dirty, too
The second-oldest known joke, which can be traced back to ancient Egypt around 1600 B.C., humorously portrays pharaohs indulging their desires while on the Nile.

🔖 Humans laughed before they spoke

🔖 The first written joke is … not delicate
The widely held belief is that the ancient Sumerian saying related to toilets is considered the earliest recorded joke.

👍 Why Is National Tell An Old Joke Day Important

Many ancient jokes have vanished into the mists of time, never to be heard again. National Tell an Old Joke Day allows us to shake things up. We can resurrect the joke books our grandparents handed us and perhaps unearth something even older. In the process, we learn what made the globe laugh back then and how this custom has survived the decades.

Did you realize that laughing is contagious? Sophie Scott, a neuroscientist at University College London, discovered that when someone laughs, the premotor cortical region of the brain, which prepares the muscles in the face to move, activates. Furthermore, consistent laughing might help you burn up to 40 calories every day. This activity also boosts immunity, aids in blood sugar regulation, and promotes sleep. All the more incentive to get out your old joke book.

A joke’s main function is to make others laugh (or so we assume). Even the dumbest joke may make people laugh. We don’t know who created this day, but we imagine that one of their motivations was to spread a bit more pleasure and laughter around the world. We are delighted to help!

🙂 How To Observe National Tell An Old Joke Day

⚡ Read about the history of old jokes

⚡ Regale everyone with an old joke
There are many well-known jokes that have become classics over time. If you’re having trouble remembering any funny ones, you can turn to the internet for assistance. There are numerous websites that offer a collection of old jokes for free. To stick with the theme of traditional jokes, you can also consider purchasing or borrowing a joke book.

⚡ Watch something funny
Begin with a book on the historic Greek comic club Group of Sixty and its rumored commissioned volume. Author Jim Holt delves into the club and the history of jokes in his book “Stop Me If You’ve Heard This.” You may get additional recommendations from your local library or look up various novels online.

📅 When is National Tell An Old Joke Day?

See all 🔗 July holidays, including 🔗 Special Interest and other 🔗 Crazy holidays.

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