Humour, it seems, is a timeless human trait. While styles and subjects may evolve, the core of what makes us laugh often remains surprisingly consistent. Case in point: the humble “your mom” joke. While this particular brand of insult may be most strongly associated with school playgrounds and internet forums, it turns out that it has far older roots than most of us would imagine. Indeed, the oldest “your mom” joke that we know of dates back an astonishing 3,500 years!
Discovery of the Oldest “Your Mom” Joke
In 1976, a team of archaeologists made a fascinating discovery in Iraq: a tablet containing text that, upon translation, revealed itself to be the earliest known example of this style of humour. The tablet itself has unfortunately since been lost, but its text was preserved thanks to photographs taken before its disappearance. It is through these photos that we are able to see into the past and glimpse the humour of ancient Babylonians.
What Did the Joke Actually Say?
According to the translated text, the joke goes something like this:
“…of your mother is by the one who has intercourse with her. What/who is it?”
Now, before you start rolling your eyes at the apparent lack of wit compared to modern examples, bear in mind two crucial points. Firstly, the translation is not perfect; the full nuances of the language and cultural context are difficult to recapture after so much time. Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, it’s still recognisable as a “your mom” joke despite not being crystal clear, meaning the basic framework of the joke has remained the same. The punchline relies on an obvious but unspoken answer, making it a riddle wrapped in an insult, a classic structure used in many jokes today.
Why Is This Discovery Important?
The discovery of this joke, despite its simplicity, offers fascinating insights into ancient societies.
Universality of Humour
It highlights that certain types of humour are perhaps universal and transcend time and culture. The ability to find humour in playful insults, even those directed at close family members, appears to be a common trait.
Social Dynamics
The presence of this type of humour suggests a level of social interaction and playfulness within ancient Babylonian society. It also indicates that there were similar power dynamics at play where one person would try to get one up on the other by saying something like this.
Cultural Preservation
Although the physical tablet is lost, the fact that its text was photographed means that we have managed to preserve a tiny window into the everyday lives of people thousands of years ago. In a way, the joke, despite being an insult, is a precious artifact that tells a lot about social norms.
The Enduring Power of a Joke
The fact that this kind of joke is still popular thousands of years later shows that the core elements of humour stay the same. Despite the passing millennia, the basic structure of the joke, and our ability to find humour in this type of insult, remains the same.
What Does It Mean for Us Today?
The discovery of the oldest “your mom” joke reminds us that we are not so different from our ancestors. They too had social lives, shared laughter and enjoyed the occasional silly joke, just like us. And even though the joke might not be hilarious by today’s standards, there’s something inherently amusing about knowing that humans have been making fun of each other’s mothers for millennia.
It makes you wonder, what other hilarious gems are hidden in the sands of time? And what other forms of humour will resonate with people 3,500 years from now? If the survival of the “your mom” joke is anything to go by, we can probably expect a few familiar tropes to stick around for many years to come. After all, good humour, like good jokes, seems to be able to transcend time itself.
Comments and Reactions