Dad jokes have a reputation. They’re cheesy, they’re corny, and they have a unique ability to make you laugh while simultaneously groaning in disbelief. These delightful quips are often met with eye rolls and exaggerated sighs, yet they’ve become a beloved form of humor. Whether it’s the awkward silence that follows the punchline or the inevitable “Oh, Dad” response, there’s something charming about these classic one-liners. In honor of their timeless appeal, here’s a collection of the most groan-worthy good dad jokes ever told. Warning: Proceed at your own risk, as these jokes are guaranteed to leave you grinning (and groaning) at the same time.

1. “I only know 25 letters of the alphabet. I don’t know y.”

Ah, the classic dad joke that plays on the dual meaning of the word “Y”—as both a letter of the alphabet and a question word. It’s simple, it’s straightforward, and it’s sure to prompt an eye roll or two. The beauty of this joke lies in its predictable punchline, which is part of what makes dad jokes so endearing. While you might groan at the obviousness, it’s hard not to appreciate the pun.

2. “Why don’t skeletons fight each other? They don’t have the guts.”

This joke is a classic for a reason—it takes something as spooky as skeletons and turns it into a play on words. The word “guts” here refers both to the figurative idea of courage and the literal lack of internal organs in skeletons. It’s one of those jokes that’s so cheesy, you can’t help but smile at its simplicity. But you’ll probably still groan after you hear it.

3. “I used to be a baker, but I couldn’t make enough dough.”

This dad joke is an example of how a simple wordplay can make a joke land perfectly. In this case, “dough” refers to both the literal dough used in baking and “dough” as a slang term for money. It’s simple, it’s cheesy, and it’s undeniably groan-worthy—but it’s also somehow satisfying in its silliness.

4. “What do you call fake spaghetti? An impasta.”

This joke is the epitome of dad humor. It combines the world of food with wordplay, and the pun here is so groan-worthy that it almost becomes brilliant. “Impasta” sounds like “imposter,” and it’s this linguistic twist that makes the joke both cheesy and amusing in equal measure. Expect to hear an enthusiastic groan and a couple of eye rolls when you drop this one in a conversation.

5. “Why don’t eggs tell jokes? Because they might crack up.”

This one is a staple in the dad joke arsenal. “Crack up” has two meanings here—first, as a way of describing someone laughing uncontrollably, and second, as a literal reference to cracking an egg. It’s a joke that’s so straightforward, it’s almost too simple, and yet it’s guaranteed to bring a smile (or a sigh) to anyone who hears it. It’s the kind of pun that works best when it catches someone off guard with its harmless absurdity.

6. “I told my wife she was drawing her eyebrows too high. She looked surprised.”

This dad joke is a play on the idea that over-drawn eyebrows often create a “surprised” look. The humor comes from the double meaning of “surprised” — both as an expression of shock and the appearance caused by overly drawn-on eyebrows. It’s a classic dad joke that pokes fun at beauty trends with just the right amount of awkwardness.

7. “I can’t believe I got fired from the calendar factory. All I did was take a day off.”

The brilliance of this joke lies in its simplicity. A calendar factory worker, naturally, is expected to be precise about their work, and taking a day off is the ultimate “mistake” in the context of a calendar. It’s a play on expectations that doesn’t require much thought, but it’s exactly that simplicity that makes it both groan-worthy and kind of charming.

8. “What did the grape do when it got stepped on? Nothing but let out a little wine.”

It’s hard to resist a dad joke that brings fruit into the mix. The joke takes the idea of a grape getting stepped on (which would normally cause it to squish) and turns it into a pun, using “wine” as a play on the word “whine” (as in, to complain). The joke is so ridiculously obvious that it feels almost beneath you, but it’s so cute and corny that it almost feels impossible not to laugh—albeit with a hint of groaning.

9. “Why don’t oysters donate to charity? Because they’re shellfish.”

If you’ve ever enjoyed seafood, you’ll recognize the brilliance of this dad joke. “Shellfish” is a type of seafood, but it also sounds like “selfish,” making the punchline a delightful play on words. It’s another prime example of how dad jokes take everyday objects or animals and turn them into something hilariously absurd. This joke is perfect for seafood lovers or anyone who enjoys simple, groan-worthy humor.

10. “What did the zero say to the eight? Nice belt!”

This dad joke works through visual humor and a pun on the shape of the numbers. The zero looks like a belt buckle, and the eight looks like a person wearing a belt, which makes this one a bit of a visual pun. It’s one of those jokes that feels obvious once it’s said, but that’s exactly what makes it work. Simple, effective, and a surefire way to elicit a groan.

Why Are Dad Jokes So Groan-Worthy (and Endearing)?

Dad jokes are often seen as cheesy, and there’s no denying that they thrive on wordplay that’s sometimes painfully obvious. But that’s exactly what makes them so enjoyable. They rely on simplicity, innocence, and accessibility, making them a type of humor that everyone—from children to adults—can appreciate. It’s hard to resist a joke that’s so blatantly corny because there’s a charm in that level of simplicity.

At their best, dad jokes foster connection and shared laughter. Even if the response is a groan or a “Dad, that’s terrible,” these jokes serve as little moments of levity in our day-to-day lives. And that’s precisely why dad jokes will continue to endure—because, no matter how groan-worthy they are, they remind us of the lightness that humor can bring.

Conclusion

The most groan-worthy dad jokes are often the ones that make us smile the most—if only because they’re so unapologetically cheesy. These puns, wordplays, and simple setups have been passed down through generations, proving that humor doesn’t have to be sophisticated to be effective. Whether you’re groaning, chuckling, or rolling your eyes, dad jokes have a timeless ability to entertain and connect us, one cringe-worthy pun at a time. So the next time you hear one, don’t be afraid to groan—because it’s just a sign that the dad joke is working its magic.