That just shows people like it, says science

People enjoy puns, as much as they might groan at them, new research has found.

Indeed, academics initially believed that the anguished response that wordplay elicits may have meant that  people 'may make puns to produce groans in their audiences for some sadistic pleasure.'

But after telling gags to 155 students, psychologists at Northern Illinois University in the US found that a groan, is not a bad response, but 'indicative of approval'.

In their research, published in the journal Personality and Individual Differences, researchers Cody Gibson and Brad Sagarin wrote: 'Puns are beloved by some and hated by others, though even those who like them respond with groans.

'We would like to propose puns are told for—not despite—pained reactions. We have made four main observations: puns are harmless, linguistic obfuscations; they often elicit reactions of discomfort; they can aggravate listeners; and they can instil a sense of superiority and creativity in the teller. '

They also commented that 'the same observations apply to internet trolling', adding: 'Both require some level of linguistic aptitude, are disliked by those unable to perform them satisfactorily, and are best expressed deadpan. Punsters further reflect Internet trolls in their apparent enjoyment of pained reactions.' 

However, they found that pun-tellers - like Tim Vine, pictured - were not sadistic and that wordplay was, in fact, among the most popular type of jokes.

Published: 3 Dec 2022