bad joke

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bad joke" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
For example, you might write, "I had to chuckle at the bad joke my friend told me yesterday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Bad joke.

The New York Times

A very bad joke.

The Guardian - Books

Sorry, bad joke".

The New Yorker

A bad joke".

The New Yorker

This is a bad joke.

Independent

It's like a bad joke, right?

Yale University

That was another bad joke.

The New Yorker

Now it's a bad joke.

The Guardian - Business

That looks like a bad joke now.

The Economist

What?! It's like a bad joke".

The New Yorker

(Make up your own bad joke).

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "bad joke", ensure the context clearly indicates that something intended to be humorous was unsuccessful or poorly received. Use it to express mild disapproval or disappointment rather than harsh criticism.

Common error

Avoid using "bad joke" in highly formal or professional settings where more sophisticated language is expected. Instead, opt for alternatives like "unsuccessful attempt at humor" or "poorly received jest" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bad joke" functions primarily as a noun phrase acting as a subject complement or direct object. Ludwig AI confirms that it's a common way to describe humor that fails to amuse. Examples show it attributing a quality to a joke, indicating its poor quality or lack of success.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "bad joke" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe humor that fails to elicit laughter or is poorly executed. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media, and academia. While its register is generally neutral, it's advisable to consider more formal alternatives like "unsuccessful attempt at humor" in professional settings. To avoid overuse, consider similar phrases such as "poor attempt at humor", "failed jest", or "unfunny gag". Remember that using the phrase "bad joke" is best when clearly indicating that something intended as humor has missed its mark, expressing mild disapproval rather than harsh critique. Today's "bad joke" is tomorrow's reality!

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

poor attempt at humor

Focuses on the low quality of the humor.

failed jest

Emphasizes the unsuccessful nature of the joke.

unfunny gag

Highlights the lack of humor and the triviality of the joke.

lame wisecrack

Suggests the joke is weak and uninspired.

terrible pun

Specifically refers to a pun that is poorly executed.

awful one-liner

Describes a short joke that is particularly bad.

cringeworthy humor

Indicates humor that causes discomfort or embarrassment.

weak attempt at comedy

Underlines the ineffectiveness of the comedic effort.

humorless quip

Highlights the absence of humor in the remark.

unsuccessful attempt at humor

This is a formal and explicit way of saying that something wasn't funny.

FAQs

How can I use "bad joke" in a sentence?

You can use "bad joke" to describe a joke that wasn't funny, such as, "His attempt at humor fell flat; it was a "bad joke"."

What are some alternatives to saying "bad joke"?

Alternatives to "bad joke" include phrases like "poor attempt at humor", "failed jest", or "unfunny gag", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "bad joke" in professional writing?

While "bad joke" is widely understood, it might be too informal for some professional contexts. Consider using more formal alternatives like "unsuccessful attempt at humor" to maintain a professional tone.

What's the difference between "bad joke" and "dark humor"?

"Bad joke" simply means a joke that isn't funny or well-received, while "dark humor" refers to jokes about serious or taboo subjects that some people may find offensive. "Dark humor" can be funny to some but is not necessarily a "bad joke" if it achieves its intended effect within a specific audience.