The term “dad joke” is a relatively recent addition to the English language, and it has become quite popular in the last decade or so. A dad joke is a type of pun or corny joke that is usually delivered by a father figure, and it’s often met with a groan or an eye roll from the audience.

However, the concept of dad humor has been around for much longer than the term itself. For as long as there have been dads, there have been jokes that are so bad they’re good. In fact, many of the earliest examples of dad jokes can be found in classic literature, such as the plays of Shakespeare, where characters often deliver clever quips and puns. Here are some of Shakespeare’s funniest lines.

In the 20th century, the rise of the stand-up comedy scene gave dads even more opportunities to unleash their cheesy humor. Comedians like Bob Hope and Henny Youngman became famous for their one-liners and corny jokes, many of which were dad-worthy groaners.

But it wasn’t until the age of the internet that dad jokes really took off. With the rise of social media and meme culture, dad jokes became a staple of online humor. Websites like Reddit and Twitter are now home to countless pages dedicated to dad jokes and puns.

Today, dad jokes have become so ubiquitous that they’ve even spawned their own subculture. There are dad joke websites, competitions and even entire books devoted to the art of delivering a perfectly cheesy punchline.

In short, while the term “dad joke” may be relatively new, the concept of corny, punny humor has been around for centuries. Whether you love them or hate them, it’s clear that dad jokes are here to stay.