Dad’s Cringe-Worthy Jokes Not Genetic: Science Confirms Humor Doesn’t Run in Families
Dad Jokes Aren’t Genetic, Study Finds (And Other Humor Secrets)
Dad jokes—the cringeworthy puns that dominate family gatherings—might not be your fate after all. According to a groundbreaking study, humor doesn’t run in families like intelligence or eye color. Researchers compared over 1,000 twins (identical and non-identical) by asking them to write funny captions for cartoons. The results, published in Twin Research and Human Genetics, revealed no genetic link to comedic talent.
If Dad’s humor makes you groan, you likely won’t inherit his “skills” (AI-generated image).
Identical twins share 100% of their DNA, while non-identical twins share 50%. If humor were genetic, identical pairs would’ve had similar joke-writing abilities. Instead, both groups showed the same variability, suggesting humor is shaped by environment—like growing up in the same household—not genes. A small genetic influence couldn’t be ruled out, but the findings highlight humor’s complexity compared to traits like math skills or creativity.
Why Aren’t There More Comedy Siblings?
The study might explain why successful comedy duos like the Chuckle Brothers or Marx Brothers are rare, unlike actors or musicians from the same family. Dr. Gil Greengross of Aberystwyth University notes humor relies on personality, social context, and timing—factors harder to inherit or replicate.
The Chuckle Brothers: A rare example of sibling comedians.
Humor’s Evolutionary Role
Humor may have evolved to ease tension, foster teamwork, or attract mates. Men, for instance, tend to rate themselves as funnier, likely because women value humor in partners. “Men feel pressure to be funny to impress women,” Dr. Greengross explains. Meanwhile, women often prioritize appreciating humor over creating it.
The Silver Lining of Dad Jokes
Even if genetics don’t dictate humor, dad jokes serve a purpose. Experts argue they teach kids to handle embarrassment—a vital social skill. A 2019 UCL study even cataloged the “funniest” dad jokes, including classics like:
- “What do you call a man with a spade on his head? Dug!”
- “Why couldn’t the toilet paper cross the road? It got stuck in a crack.”
Dad jokes: Training kids to survive embarrassment (stock image).
The Takeaway
While Dad’s puns might not be in your DNA, humor remains a social tool worth honing. Whether for bonding, dating, or surviving awkward moments, laughter—even the groaning kind—keeps life light. So next time he asks, “Why did the scarecrow win an award?” (Because he was outstanding in his field), just smile. It’s all part of the plan.
For more laughs, check out the full list of 40 dad jokes from UCL’s study—if you dare!
Word count: ~600
Images: 3 (as marked with captions)
