a sick joke

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a sick joke" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is used to describe a joke that is tasteless, offensive, or inappropriate. Example: "His attempt at humor was nothing but a sick joke, causing more offense than laughter among his audience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A sick joke.

The New Yorker

It was a sick joke.

The New York Times

"That's proved to be a sick joke".

The Guardian

That would just sound like a sick joke now.

The Guardian - Sport

The property tax cut was just a sick joke".

The New York Times

That comment now strikes him as a sick joke.

The Guardian

"Clearly, it's someone's idea of a sick joke".

The New Yorker

Well, either that or he was making what amounts to a sick joke.

The New York Times

Asking Detroit to deliver a measly 26 miles per gallon is a sick joke.

The New York Times

Guns N' Roses stood an excellent chance of disintegrating into a sick joke.

The Guardian - Music

It's as if someone is playing a sick joke on the citizens of Derry-Londonderry".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a sick joke", consider the audience and context. Overusing it can diminish its impact; reserve it for situations where the offense is genuinely significant.

Common error

Avoid labeling mildly inappropriate humor as "a sick joke". This phrase is reserved for jokes that are genuinely offensive, insensitive, or exploitative of suffering. Using it lightly dilutes its meaning.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "a sick joke" is that of a noun phrase, typically serving as a predicate nominative or an object. Ludwig AI identifies it as a phrase used to describe something offensive or inappropriate.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

94%

Vice

3%

Huffington Post

3%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a sick joke" is a common expression used to describe something intended as humorous but perceived as deeply offensive, tasteless, or inappropriate. As Ludwig AI confirms, its primary function is to express strong disapproval or moral outrage. Found predominantly in News & Media sources, as evidenced by the numerous examples, its register is generally neutral, leaning toward informal, making it suitable for various contexts where expressing strong disapproval is warranted. While the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used, it is essential to reserve it for situations where the offense is genuinely significant to avoid diluting its impact. Alternatives like "a cruel jest" or "an offensive farce" can be considered depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a cruel jest

Emphasizes the malicious intent behind the joke, highlighting its hurtful nature.

a twisted prank

Focuses on the distorted or perverse nature of the action, suggesting a moral corruption.

an offensive farce

Highlights the mockery and disrespect inherent in the situation, suggesting a lack of seriousness.

a distasteful jest

Focuses on the lack of consideration for appropriate humor and overall poor taste.

a morbid jest

Highlights the morbid or death-related aspect, suggesting an inappropriate interest in gruesome things.

a tasteless prank

Emphasizes the lack of sensitivity in the action, suggesting it's socially unacceptable.

a deplorable act

Shifts the focus from humor to the reprehensible nature of the action itself.

an outrageous hoax

Focuses on the deceitful and shocking nature of the event, implying a deliberate attempt to mislead and offend.

a ghastly travesty

Implies a gross misrepresentation or mockery of something sacred or important, emphasizing its horrifying nature.

a vile deception

Underscores the immorality and maliciousness behind the act, highlighting its corrupt intentions.

FAQs

How can I use the phrase "a sick joke" in a sentence?

You can use "a sick joke" to describe something intended as humorous that is deeply offensive or inappropriate. For example, "His attempt at humor was nothing but "a sick joke"."

What are some alternatives to saying "a sick joke"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "a cruel jest", "an offensive farce", or "a tasteless prank" to convey a similar meaning.

When is it appropriate to use the term "a sick joke"?

It is appropriate to use "a sick joke" when referring to something presented as humor that is deeply offensive, insensitive, or morally reprehensible. It's typically used to express strong disapproval or disgust.

What's the difference between "a tasteless joke" and "a sick joke"?

"A tasteless joke" implies a lack of good judgment or sensitivity in humor, while ""a sick joke"" suggests something more deeply offensive, often involving exploitation of suffering or insensitivity to serious issues.