The Obvious Joke is a prank in the sense that the joke is actually just
a simple question- it just sets your subject up to think it's a joke and then
feel stupid when he/she realizes the answer is obvious. The key to this prank is
to ask a question that's likely to get the same response from most people...
your target's initial response is key to the success of the prank's execution.
There is also a riskier variety where you make a statement that is likely to
elicit a desired response. It's risky because people are less likely to respond
in the required way when you're not prompting them for an answer. It's
surprising how often it works, though.
Any chump will do, but it's sweetest when your target is a real know-it-all
None really required, although you may wish to have an audience so all can
witness how deftly you expose your know-it-all friend as a dullard and a fool!
- Ask your subject the question. Or, in the case of the calculated
statement, utter the statement. These are most effective if you start out by
telling a story- this engages the listener and makes him/her more likely to
- If the subject offers the expected reply, deliver the answer and laugh
hysterically, forming a big "L" (for Loser) on your forehead with
your thumb and forefinger.
- If however, the subject responds with something that doesn't conform with
your premeditated response, stomp subject's foot and bail. (Or, with the
story/statement variation, you can play it off by finishing the story as if
there hadn't been any joke intended, then creep away, crestfallen, when
Contributor: Tony Murray
Region: Lawrenceburg, Indiana
You: Start off by telling a story about some crazy thing that
supposedly happened to you that morning. When you're to the point in the story
where it's time for you to explain how you dealt with the situation, say
"So, I decided I had to go to the store for a henway..."
Subject: In most cases, your listener will ask, "What's a henway?"
You: And you will answer, "Oh about two or three pounds."
Tag on a quizzical "Why do you ask?" for bonus laughs.
Contributor: Claire Williams
Region: Wales, UK
Type: Simple question
Notes: I once played on the new local post mistress well over a
year ago, for which I am still not forgiven, was a simple little thing
which really blew out of proportion, to her embarrassment and my friend
and mine utter amusement.
The post mistress did not give required reply so I had to keep
repeating myself (whilst stifling giggles) This actually continued for
over a half hour to which point she had convinced herself that a duckdo
was the local word for a durex and was becoming very embarrassed (being
extremely shy) When she finally asked me what's a duckdo she was even more
embarrassed with the reply and promptly evicted me and my friend from the
shop. As a result we were forced to put a notice saying "free duckdo
with every paper" on the door of the shop the following day.
You: "This morning I saw a duckdo." (pronounced duck doo)
Subject: "What's a duckdo?"
You: Simply say, "Quack Quack!"