Science suggests cringeworthy dad jokes may serve a real purpose

A new analysis of Reddit’s r/dadjokes reveals that the genre’s signature puns and pedantic twists function as essential social glue, helping to build bonds between parents and children. While often dismissed as cringeworthy, experts suggest these jokes provide subtle mental health benefits and strengthen family connections, regardless of whether they actually trigger laughter.

The Anatomy of a Successful Dad Joke

Researchers analyzing more than 32,000 posts on Reddit’s r/dadjokes found that the most effective humor relies on three distinct pillars: puns, literal interpretations of common phrases, and pedantic twists that intentionally derail expectations. According to reporting by Newser, the jokes that resonated most with users were those using question-and-answer formats that featured family members, while political and religious topics generally failed to land. The mechanics of these jokes are designed to be intentionally obtuse. As noted by the Knoxville News Sentinel, comedians view the “groan” as a sign of success rather than failure. For many, the goal is to create a cognitive crisis in the listener, leaving the child wondering if the parent is perhaps a bit simple. “A great dad joke is one that is so annoyingly obtuse or obvious that it causes a cognitive crisis in the listener. Typically it is a pun that is so ridiculous it makes them cringe. How does that make any sense, or why didn’t I think of that myself? That setup is what causes the best groan or laughter response.”Paul Simmons, Einstein Simplified, via Knoxville News Sentinel

Why Dads Keep Telling Them

Beyond the immediate reaction, the persistence of the dad joke serves a psychological function. Psychology professor Paul Silvia notes that the jokes act as a shared ritual that signals warmth and playfulness. The research confirms that fathers find their own jokes funnier than others do, a finding highlighted by New Scientist. Clinical psychologist Steven Sultanoff suggests that the mental shift required to grasp a pun can help people reframe how they approach problems. Even when a joke fails to elicit a laugh, the emotional lift can improve moods and ease anxiety. The ritual provides a safe, low-stakes environment for interaction. “The mental shift required to get a pun can also help people reframe how they see problems. Most importantly, dad jokes act as ‘social glue’: a small, shared ritual that signals warmth, playfulness, and connection, Silvia says—whether or not anyone actually laughs.”Steven Sultanoff, clinical psychologist, via Newser

The Art of the Cringe

The Knoxville News Sentinel surveyed several comedians on their preferred methods for inducing an eye roll. The consensus is that the best jokes are those that are so ridiculous they defy logic. Common examples include:

• “So long, boiling water. You will be mist” (via Newser)
• “I’m worried about the calendar. Its days are numbered” (via Newser)
• “Why did the scarecrow receive an award? … Because he was out standing in his field.” (via Knoxville News Sentinel)
• “Hi Hungry, I’m Dad” (via Knoxville News Sentinel)

For some, the “dad joke” is less about the punchline and more about the endurance test. Aaron Littleton of Einstein Simplified describes “Shaggy Dog” stories—narratives that are intentionally long and devoid of a meaningful payoff—as the ultimate form of dad humor. By the time a listener realizes the story has no point, the teller has successfully trapped them in a labyrinth of red herrings, creating a shared experience of deep, physical groans.

Looking Ahead: The Cultural Resilience of Puns

Photo: Knoxville News Sentinel

While generations change, the dad joke remains a staple of family interaction. The data suggests that as long as fathers seek to signal warmth through humor, these groan-worthy puns will persist. Whether it is through a quick pun or a long-winded, pointless story, the act of telling the joke remains more important than the quality of the humor itself. The “cringe” is not a sign that the joke has failed; it is the desired outcome, confirming that the social connection has been made.