tasteless jokes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tasteless jokes" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe jokes that are considered offensive, inappropriate, or lacking in good taste. An example: "His tasteless jokes made the audience uncomfortable." Alternative expressions include "offensive humor" and "crude jokes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

I'm ok with tasteless jokes, depending on context.

The New Yorker

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

What thought processes led the (now former) Aflac duck guy to make not one– but several– tasteless jokes about the unfolding human tragedy?

University of California, Berkeley

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

The Guardian - Opinion

Tasteless jokes at the expense of the disabled roared back into style nine years ago with "There's Something About Mary".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

It seemed trivialising, a tasteless joke.

The Guardian - Arts

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

A tasteless joke, you say, at the expense of that late, great archconservative, Walt Disney?

The New York Times

In 2013, Justine Sacco foolishly tweeted a tasteless joke about Africa and AIDS.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context of the offense; if the humor is specifically harmful to a marginalized group, "offensive humor" might be more precise.

Common error

Writers often mistakenly add adjectives like 'bad' or 'terrible' before "tasteless jokes". Since the term 'tasteless' inherently denotes a lack of quality or social grace, these additions are redundant. Stick to the phrase itself to maintain a concise style.

Linguistic Context

In the phrase "tasteless jokes", "tasteless" serves as a qualitative adjective modifying the plural noun "jokes". Ludwig shows that it frequently functions as the direct object of verbs like 'make', 'tell', or 'tweet', or as the subject of critical discussion.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "tasteless jokes" is a widely accepted and Common expression in the English language used to describe humor that is offensive or socially inappropriate. Ludwig identifies its presence across a variety of high-authority platforms, particularly within News & Media, where it is often used to critique public figures or media content. The phrase is grammatically sound and serves a clear communicative purpose: to label humor that crosses the line of good taste. While closely related to terms like ""offensive humor"", it specifically targets the 'taste' or aesthetic/social judgment of the speaker. Overall, it remains a vital descriptive tool for writers documenting the boundaries of public discourse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

distasteful humor

Slightly more formal, suggesting a violation of aesthetic or moral standards

offensive humor

Focuses on the harm or insult caused to a specific group

crude jokes

Emphasizes the lack of refinement or the vulgar nature of the content

insensitive gags

Directly points out the lack of empathy regarding the subject matter

inappropriate remarks

Broadens the scope to include any poorly timed or unprofessional comment

poorly judged humor

Focuses on the speaker's lack of discernment or situational awareness

crass witticisms

Higher register alternative highlighting the lack of sensitivity

vulgar jests

Uses more traditional language to describe explicit or dirty content

lowbrow comedy

Suggests the humor is uncultivated or appeals to basic instincts

unrefined wit

Implies that while there may be an attempt at humor, it lacks polish

FAQs

How do I use "tasteless jokes" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a speaker's content, such as: "The comedian's set was marred by a series of "tasteless jokes" that alienated the audience".

What can I say instead of "tasteless jokes"?

Depending on your intent, you can use phrases like ""offensive humor"", "distasteful humor", or "crude jokes".

Is "tasteless jokes" grammatically correct?

Yes, according to Ludwig AI, it is a perfectly correct and common way to describe humor that is considered inappropriate or lacking in good taste.

What is the difference between "tasteless jokes" and "dark humor"?

"Tasteless jokes" are generally seen as lacking merit or being purely offensive, whereas "dark humor" is often a recognized artistic style that uses morbid themes to make a broader point.