Wisdom in jokes

Who Says jokes are totally nonsense? Whoever says that must be missing something in jokes. Because whether we believe it or not, rain or shine, by hook or by crook, jokes do have substance in them that one could learn from, though they be of the stupidest kind.

Take for instance this joke that claims a lady’s bodily shape changes in spelling as the woman passes from maidenhood to adulthood. Accordingly, when a lady is still young and single, her body shape is spelled “f i g u r e.” But after she gets married and starts to have children, the word changes to “P I G u r e.”

The serious note here is that, after bearing children and a woman loses the enthusiasm to maintain her shape, she becomes like a pig in size, especially if she takes the habit of eating a lot during meals and in-between meals. Her body bloats sideward, forward, and backward, while the upward growth is stunted. Surely, there is wisdom in this joke as a woman can learn a lesson from it—she should maintain her figure even after marriage and childbearing, and she should refrain from gluttony.

Consider also this joke that complains about these mobile fish vendors shouting out their product while driving on bicycle from house to house. According to this joke, these vendors are teaching residents wrong English grammar. Imagine shouting out to people—“Oy, lab-as!”

That’s wrong grammar, indeed. Why should a vendor say, “love us” when he is alone? He should say, “love me,” not “love us.” Why, he is not with somebody for him to be using the pronoun “us” in reference to himself. Since he is by himself, a mobile fish vendor should only use “me” to refer to himself.

Another joke says that when you join a group picture taking, and you are a guy, do not stand beside somebody who is taller than you because in the picture, you will look like a dwarf. Stand beside somebody who is shorter than you are and you will look like a giant. This is just a joke. But there is much truth in it. If you are not convinced, try joining a group picture taking right now, stand with a guy who is much taller than you are, and you will indeed look like one of the seven dwarfs in the Snow White fairy tale.

An extension of this joke also recommends that in a group picture taking, you should not stay beside someone who is so handsome than you are because, as a result, you will look very ugly. Joke only, but this is also true. Try it to believe it. Better sit or stand beside someone who is less good-looking than you are so that you will appear very handsome indeed.

From this alone, we can already pick up some amount of wisdom that you will not learn in school. This is practical wisdom that can be had from what people look down as dirty, senseless jokes. Do you want to get wiser? Listen to more jokes.

By: Doms Pagliawan

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