poor joke

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "poor joke" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a joke that is not funny or is considered to be of low quality. Example: "His attempt at humor fell flat; it was just a poor joke that nobody found amusing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

They realized the boy must have thought it a very poor joke.

The New Yorker

Is a lifetime spent loving poems in a fallen world only a poor joke?

The New York Times - Books

"He knows a poor joke when he hides it," a critic wrote of Hope on Broadway, and he always would.

The New Yorker

He conceded that he had "made a poor joke in bad taste" about Brothers and that it "was particularly lame… a poor joke... even if it wasn't meant maliciously".

The Guardian

"They were dressed up as some freakish clown or an alien … or were the butt of a very poor joke.

The Guardian

Another poor joke etc "Would you like to hear my impression of an extractor fan?" sniggers Kenny Reid.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Mr Manuel, who has brushed off periodic rumours of a cabinet reshuffle, looks more sure of himself than he did a year ago, and is less prone to cracking the sort of poor jokes that had currency traders reaching for their telephones.He has reason to feel more confident.

The Economist

He summarises it as a "big mistake" and "a feeble last fling for a brilliant series", with a long and illogical plot, poor jokes and little action during the final rescue sequences.

Wikipedia

Enjoy it even if others do not e.g. spontaneous one liners, poor jokes on word sounds etc.

WikiHow

Laugh at yourself and laugh at situations.Learn to make situations light.Cracking poor jokes is better than resorting to porn on all the days of the week.

WikiHow

He is basically reliving the crushing despair of telling a piss-poor joke only to receive an awkward silent response with every person who passes him in the street.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When criticizing a joke, use "poor joke" to politely express its lack of quality without being overly harsh. This phrase acknowledges the attempt at humor while still conveying its failure.

Common error

Avoid using "poor joke" when a stronger term like "offensive joke" or "inappropriate joke" is more accurate. "Poor joke" refers specifically to the quality of the humor, not its potential to offend.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "poor joke" functions primarily as a descriptive term. It serves to characterize the quality of a joke, indicating that it is of low standard or fails to be humorous. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

13%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "poor joke" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a joke that lacks humor or quality. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts, though it's important to consider whether a more specific term like "offensive joke" may be more appropriate. It's most frequently found in News & Media and Wiki sources. Alternatives like "bad joke" or "lame joke" can be used for similar effect. Understanding its function and appropriate usage will help you effectively communicate your assessment of humor.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bad joke

A direct synonym, simply replacing "poor" with "bad".

unfunny joke

Directly states the joke fails to elicit laughter.

lame joke

Suggests the joke is weak or uninspired.

weak joke

Similar to "lame joke", implying a lack of strength or effectiveness.

feeble joke

Indicates the joke is weak and ineffective, possibly due to poor construction or delivery.

terrible joke

Emphasizes the very low quality of the joke.

awful joke

Similar to "terrible joke", highlighting the unpleasantness of the joke.

dreadful joke

Highlights the extremely poor quality and unpleasantness of the joke.

failed joke

Implies that the joke did not achieve its intended purpose of being funny.

tasteless joke

Indicates that the joke is offensive or inappropriate.

FAQs

What does "poor joke" mean?

A "poor joke" is a joke that is not funny or is of low quality. It suggests the joke failed to achieve its intended purpose of being humorous.

What can I say instead of "poor joke"?

You can use alternatives such as "bad joke", "lame joke", or "unfunny joke" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to say "poor joke" in a formal setting?

While "poor joke" is generally acceptable, in highly formal settings, consider using more professional language, such as "the joke was ineffective" or "the humor was not well-received".

What makes a joke a "poor joke"?

A joke might be considered a "poor joke" due to several reasons including a weak punchline, bad timing, irrelevance, or simply not being funny to the audience. Essentially, it fails to elicit the desired humorous response.