Since the early 20th century, knock-knock jokes have been a prominent form of humor, particularly among children. They evolved from “nifties,” an interactive style of joke that began with a question, such as, “Do you know?” or “Have you heard?” By the mid-1930s, businesses were hosting knock-knock contests, swing bands were weaving the jokes into their songs, and knock-knock clubs were being created in the Midwest.
Bob Dunn, author of the 1936 book Knock Knock!, is often credited with creating the knock-knock joke, but the earliest reference to the “Knock, knock” / “Who’s there?” format appears much earlier — in William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, first performed in 1606. In Act 2, Scene 3, the drunken porter offers a bit of comedic relief by imagining what it would be like to be a porter at the gates of hell.
The wordplay involved in pulling off a good knock-knock joke can often be groan-inducing, but the call-and-response form of humor is fun to share in a social setting. Try these knock-knock jokes on friends and family members to get them giggling.
Knock, knock. / Who’s there? / Adore. / Adore who? / Adore is between us.Charles Keller
Knock, knock. / Who’s there? / Caesar. / Caesar who? / Caesar jolly good fellow, Caesar jolly good fellow.Bob Dunn
Knock, knock. / Who’s there? / Ben and Don. / Ben and Don who? / Ben there, Don that.Charles Keller
Knock, knock. / Who’s there? / Denise. / Denise who? / Denise are above de feet.Jasmine Birtles
Knock, knock. / Who’s there? / Midas. / Midas who? / Midas well admit it, you don’t even know who I am!Chris Tait
Knock, knock. / Who’s there? / Lettuce. / Lettuce who? / Lettuce in — it’s cold out here.Anonymous
Knock, knock. / Who’s there? / Lucas. / Lucas who? / Lucas in the eye and tell us you don’t want to hear another knock-knock joke!Rob Elliott
Knock, knock. / Who’s there? / Anita. / Anita who? / Anita a ride home. Can you help?Robert Myers
Knock, knock. / Who’s there? / Yah! / Yah who? / Ride ’em, cowboy!Anonymous
Knock, knock. / Who’s there? / Cereal. / Cereal who? / Cereal pleasure to meet you.Anonymous
Knock, knock. / Who’s there? / UFO. / UFO who / UFO wonder if there’s life on other planets?Chris Tait
Knock, knock. / Who’s there? / Canoe. / Canoe who? / Canoe come out and play?Rob Elliott
Knock, knock. / Who’s there? / Avenue. / Avenue who? / Avenue heard this joke before?Charles Keller
Knock, knock. / Who’s there? / Edsall. / Edsall who? / Edsall there is — there is no more.Bob Dunn
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