tasteless joke

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tasteless joke" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a joke that is considered inappropriate, offensive, or lacking in sensitivity. Example: "His tasteless joke about the tragedy left everyone in the room feeling uncomfortable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

In the course of all those ceremonies, he has heard every tasteless joke imaginable.

The New York Times

"I regret it and sincerely apologise," he said, with Renner also apologising for the "tasteless joke".

Independent

"Our project started as a tasteless joke, but one that hopefully had a purpose," he said.

The New York Times - Arts

For a minute I feared that a tasteless joke was in the offing.

The New York Times

This time around the usual seasonal high-jinks could fall flat as a tasteless joke.

The New York Times - Arts

Renner also issued an apology: "I am sorry that this tasteless joke about a fictional character offended anyone.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

Kids used to make up tasteless jokes in the playground, now they hack together Flash games.

The Guardian - Tech

There are an awful lot of tasteless jokes floating around here today.

The Guardian

For some of us, making tasteless jokes on the internet pretty much is our way of life.

The Guardian - Opinion

A gay romantic comedy that takes place largely behind bars presents a minefield of tasteless jokes about prison sex that most filmmakers would approach with caution.

The New York Times

Oscar host Seth MacFarlane has drawn criticism for his opening song "We saw your boobs" as well as his tasteless jokes about Jews, race and domestic violence.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "tasteless joke", consider your audience and the potential impact of the joke. Always evaluate whether the humor is appropriate for the setting.

Common error

Avoid using "tasteless joke" casually without acknowledging why the joke is considered tasteless. Failing to address the problematic aspects can perpetuate the harm caused by the joke.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tasteless joke" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "tasteless" modifies the noun "joke". It describes a specific type of joke characterized by its offensive or insensitive nature. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "tasteless joke" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a joke that is offensive, insensitive, or in poor taste. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is frequently used in news and media contexts to objectively label such jokes. While alternatives like "offensive joke" or "inappropriate joke" offer nuanced variations, the core meaning remains consistent. When using this phrase, contextual awareness is crucial to avoid perpetuating harm, and considering the potential impact on the audience is always essential.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

distasteful joke

A more formal synonym for "tasteless joke", conveying a strong sense of disapproval.

offensive joke

Replaces "tasteless" with "offensive", emphasizing the hurtful nature of the joke.

inappropriate joke

Substitutes "tasteless" with "inappropriate", highlighting the unsuitability of the joke for the given context.

insensitive joke

Changes "tasteless" to "insensitive", underscoring the lack of consideration for others' feelings.

crude joke

Replaces "tasteless" with "crude", focusing on the vulgar or unrefined nature of the joke.

vulgar joke

Replaces "tasteless" with "vulgar", emphasizing the coarse or indecent quality of the joke.

ill-considered joke

Focuses on the lack of thought or judgment that went into telling the joke.

awful joke

Emphasizes the extremely negative quality of the joke, suggesting it is both offensive and poorly constructed.

unfunny joke

Highlights the failure of the joke to be amusing, often because of its offensive nature.

bad joke

A general term for a joke that is poorly received, often due to its lack of taste or humor.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "tasteless joke"?

You can use alternatives like "offensive joke", "inappropriate joke", or "crude joke" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "tasteless joke"?

It's appropriate to use "tasteless joke" when discussing or analyzing humor that is considered insensitive, offensive, or in poor taste. It's often used in critiques or discussions about comedy and social norms.

What makes a joke a "tasteless joke"?

A joke becomes a "tasteless joke" when it offends or disrespects a particular group, topic, or individual. Often, such jokes trivialize sensitive subjects like tragedy, discrimination, or personal suffering.

Is there a difference between a "tasteless joke" and an "unfunny joke"?

Yes, a "tasteless joke" is offensive or insensitive, while an "unfunny joke" simply fails to be amusing. A joke can be both tasteless and unfunny, but it doesn't have to be.