coarse joke

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'coarse joke' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to refer to a joke that is overly graphic, crassly sexual or generally in bad taste. For example: "The comedian told a few coarse jokes during his set, which made the audience squirm in their seats."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

The old homosexual and I laugh in the back over a coarse joke involving an octopus.

The New Yorker

A coarse joke about chivalry during sex replaced the homeless-man line.

The New York Times - Arts

Then the moderates went, led by Danton, whose coarse joke to Robespierre became part of his indictment.

The New Yorker

The irreverent, loud-mouthed comedian Margaret Cho was on hand to flaunt her own experience as a Harley rider, but other than one coarse joke, she had difficulty staying on topic.

The New York Times

Thurneysen notes that in the Harley 5280 manuscript "the mutual slaying of the guests" is referred to as "'performing a good drinking round'" (so-imól) – a "somewhat coarse joke" that was revised or omitted in the other manuscripts because apparently the copyists did not understand it.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Bedl, and Mitzi's husband, Dratfisch, tell coarse jokes.

The New Yorker

Channel 4's Big Fat Quiz of the Year has prompted in excess of 160 complaints following coarse jokes about the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh.

The Guardian

Unlike Enzo Ferrari, who loved coarse jokes and the company of whores, he presents himself as a grey pillar of corporate rectitude.

The Guardian - Sport

These traits of spoken language belong to a vulgar household, filled with the clamour of a large family fond of coarse jokes and prone to sentimental effusions.

The Guardian - Books

In the second act Tallulah mixes a smidgen of therapeutic sympathy with the coarse jokes and self-indulgent tantrums, as Mr. Lombardo dwells at excessive length on a subplot involving (yawn) the sex life of one of the men trying to pin Tallulah down and pull out that last ornery sentence.

The New York Times

So does it makes sense why your coarse joking on my Facebook feed pisses me off?

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "coarse joke" to specifically describe humor that is unrefined and potentially offensive, rather than simply unfunny.

Common error

Avoid using "coarse joke" when you mean a joke is simply bad or poorly delivered. "Coarse" specifically refers to the content of the joke, not its quality or delivery.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "coarse joke" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "coarse" is an adjective modifying the noun "joke". It describes a specific type of joke characterized by its vulgarity or crudeness. Ludwig AI also says that it is used to refer to a joke that is overly graphic, crassly sexual or generally in bad taste.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "coarse joke" is a grammatically correct term used to describe humor that is vulgar, crude, or offensive. Ludwig AI confirms this, noting it refers to overly graphic or crassly sexual jokes. While the phrase itself isn't offensive, it prepares the listener for potentially offensive content. It appears most frequently in News & Media sources, with Wikipedia and Encyclopedias also providing examples. When describing a joke as "coarse", ensure it truly reflects the vulgar nature of the humor, and consider the audience before using the term.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

vulgar joke

Emphasizes the lack of refinement and potential offensiveness.

crude joke

Highlights the unpolished and possibly offensive nature.

bawdy joke

Specifically refers to humor that is sexually suggestive and often boisterous.

dirty joke

A direct and common way to describe a sexually explicit or suggestive joke.

risqué joke

Suggests the joke is bordering on being inappropriate but not necessarily offensive.

blue joke

Indicates a joke that is off-color and potentially offensive due to its sexual content.

smutty joke

Implies the joke is filled with suggestive and often vulgar content.

offensive joke

Focuses on the potential to cause offense or upset due to its content.

indecent joke

Highlights the impropriety and lack of decorum in the joke.

tasteless joke

Emphasizes the lack of good judgment and sensitivity in the joke.

FAQs

What does "coarse joke" mean?

A "coarse joke" refers to a joke that is vulgar, crude, or offensive in nature, often due to its explicit content or lack of subtlety.

What can I say instead of "coarse joke"?

You can use alternatives like "vulgar joke", "crude joke", or "dirty joke" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always inappropriate to tell a "coarse joke"?

While the appropriateness of any joke depends on the context and audience, "coarse jokes" are generally considered unsuitable for formal or sensitive settings due to their potential to offend.

What makes a joke "coarse"?

A joke is considered "coarse" when it relies on vulgar language, explicit sexual references, or insensitive topics to elicit humor, often lacking subtlety or refinement.