Origins of the Blonde Joke
by Ron Orendi
A while ago, when my son was in his freshman year at college, I was surfing the Internet looking for things to include in the "weekly packet from home." In the past, I'd included clippings from the home town newspaper, a letter catching him up on all the family gossip, a "care package" and some silly articles or jokes I had found on the Internet.
I ran across a listing for blonde jokes and thought I'd print them out to include in this week's package. I went to the file menu and clicked print. In a short time my computer screen had a small box showing the print job in progress. It said, "Printing page 1 of 61." Sixty one pages!
I quickly aborted the job. No way was I going to abuse my small Epson printer with 61 pages of non-sense. A joke is a joke, but 61 pages of blonde jokes is over kill.
Later that evening, as I shared my "blonde joke" story to my wife and some friends, a thought came to mind, "Where did all these blonde jokes come from?"
Does someone sit staring at a bottle of peroxide and creativity falls upon them? Do spouses of blondes secretly huddle over their computer entering jokes about their mates into the system? Perhaps someone has spent a considerable amount of time analyzing "surfer dudes and bimbos" on the beaches of California?
I decided to do some creative mental investigation into where these wacky one liners originated. Being a stand up comic, I was fully aware of joke formulas, techniques and creative moments. I needed to search deeper.
After a great deal of thought, I have drawn some very interesting conclusions. Years ago groups of men would gather (probably at the local watering hole) and swap racial jokes. Fortunately, those jokes are no longer politically correct or socially acceptable in most circles. These grog-lifting muscle-builders still felt the need to vent their humor with others at the pub. So, why not pick on the ditzy dumb blonde?
Redneck humor was very popular (along with its variations specifically naming West Virginians or residents of Kentucky), but the public has slowly discovered what these individuals lack in brain power, they make up for in "shootin' power." (Not to mention that their aim is much better than that of their Civil War ancestors.)
The obvious, safe joke topic again was blondes. Making fun of the hair-crimping blonde not only got a laugh, it also prevented the joke teller from getting his behind filled with buckshot.
In the past, a poop joke or fart joke has usually gone over well with comedy audiences. With conservatism taking over the country, however, people are getting a little too prudish for "brown" humor. Hence, the blonde again is the safe foil.
Let's take a moment to review what has been unearthed. I think its quite clear where all this "yellow" humor originated: black jokes became offensive; red jokes too dangerous to tell; and brown jokes too gross and disgusting. By simply switching the object of ridicule to blondes, no one gets hurt.
The blonde jokes we know today all seem to have black, red or brown roots. Strange, in comedy, as in real life, there are no natural blondes.
©1997 by comedycity.com and Ron Orendi
Some Suggested Links
Blonde Jokes @ North Carolina State University
A short list of handy jokes to tell around the dinner table. Caution, this site may contain, gulp, bad language so go at your own risk. To come back to the safety of comedycity, click on your back button.
Bemo's Blonde Jokes
In Bemo's Blonde Jokes, another short list, no bad language but plently of suggestive acts performed between adults. Don't forget to come back!
Instant Random Blonde Joke
Sprunch provides an instant blonde joke at this address so keep it handy at the office to continue to harrass your fellow workers who are blonde. Great search engine for blonde jokes, too.
The Blonde Joke Book from Hawaii Engineering
Another university student wisely using his free web space for good purpose: 20 pages of blonde jokes (man, this guy must have been getting the same jokes Ron's son did). Only for the avid (or is that rabid) blonde joke fan.
Blonde Joke Books for Sale
Great gifts for the blonde sister-in-law
you'd like to tick off!
Truly Tasteless Blonde Jokes ~ Ships in 2-3 days
Blanche Knott, Blanche Knotts / Mass Market Paperback / Published
1992
Our Price: $3.19 ~ You Save: $0.80 (20%)
The
Official Blonde Jokes (Book 1) ~ Usually
ships in 24 hours
E.C. 'Red' Stangland / Paperback / Published 1991
Our Price: $2.95 + $2.85 special surcharge
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