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{{short description|Stereotype joke about blondes}}
⚫
'''Blonde jokes''' are a class of [[jokes]] based on a stereotype of dumb blonde women.<ref>{{cite journal
{{Infobox joke
| image =
| caption =
| nickname = Dumb blonde joke
| type =
| target = [[Blonde]] [[woman|women]]
| language = [[English language|English]]
}}
⚫
'''Blonde jokes''' are a [[joke cycle]] based on a stereotype of a [[dumb blonde]] woman.<ref>{{cite journal
| last = Thomas
| last = Thomas
| first = Jeannie B.
| first = Jeannie B.
| year = 1997
| year = 1997
| title = Dumb Blondes, [[Dan Quayle]], and [[Hillary Clinton]]: Gender, Sexuality, and Stupidity in Jokes
| title = Dumb Blondes, Dan Quayle, and Hillary Clinton: Gender, Sexuality, and Stupidity in Jokes
| journal = The Journal of American Folklore
| journal = The Journal of American Folklore
| volume = 110
| volume = 110
Line 9: Line 18:
| pages = 277–313
| pages = 277–313
| doi = 10.2307/541162
| doi = 10.2307/541162
| jstor = 541162
}}</ref>
}}</ref>


These [[joke]]s about people, generally women, who have blonde [[hair]] serve as a form of [[blonde versus brunette rivalry]]. They are often considered to be derogatory as many are mere variants on traditional [[ethnic joke]]s or jests about other identifiable groups (such as Italian jokes involving [[Carabinieri]]).
These [[joke]]s about people, generally women, who have blonde [[hair]] serve as a form of [[blonde versus brunette rivalry]]. They are often considered to be derogatory as many are mere variants on traditional [[ethnic joke]]s or jests about other identifiable groups that would be considered more offensive (such as Italian jokes involving [[Carabinieri]]).


In some cases, jokes about stereotypically stupid people have circulated since the seventeenth century with only the wording and targeted groups changed.<ref name=Kuipers>Giselinde Kuipers, ''[http://books.google.com/books?id=uk_WHTCTN9YC&pg=PA24 Good Humor, Bad Taste: A Sociology of the Joke]'', page 24, Walter de Gruyter, 2006, ISBN 9783110186154</ref>
In some cases, jokes about stereotypically stupid people have circulated since the seventeenth century with only the wording and targeted groups changed.<ref name=Kuipers>[[Giselinde Kuipers]], ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=uk_WHTCTN9YC&pg=PA24 Good Humor, Bad Taste: A Sociology of the Joke]'', page 24, Walter de Gruyter, 2006, {{ISBN|9783110186154}}</ref>


Some blonde jokes rely on [[sexual humor|sexual humour]] to portray or stereotype their subjects as [[sexual promiscuity|promiscuous]].<ref>Karen Ross, ''[http://books.google.com/books?id=ZjrXrueVe-0C&pg=PT108 The Handbook of Gender, Sex and Media]'', chapter 6, John Wiley & Sons, 2011, ISBN 9781118114223</ref> Many of these are rephrased [[sorority]] girl or [[Essex girl]] jokes,<ref name=Kuipers/> much as other jokes about [[dumb blonde]]s are based on long-running ethnic jokes.
Some blonde jokes rely on [[sexual humor|sexual humour]] to portray or stereotype their subjects as [[sexual promiscuity|promiscuous]].<ref>Karen Ross, ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=ZjrXrueVe-0C&pg=PT108 The Handbook of Gender, Sex and Media]'', chapter 6, John Wiley & Sons, 2011, {{ISBN|9781118114223}}</ref> Many of these are rephrased [[sorority]] girl or [[Essex girl]] jokes.<ref name=Kuipers/>


==Common traits==
==Common traits==
Blonde jokes nearly always take the format of the blonde placing herself in a situation or making a comment that serves to highlight her supposed [[promiscuity]] and/or lack of [[intelligence]], cluelessness and [[Accident-proneness|clumsiness]]. The blonde of the joke is often placed in an unusual situation with a [[brunette]] or [[red hair|redhead]].
Blonde jokes nearly always take the format of the blonde placing herself in a situation or making a comment that serves to highlight her supposed [[promiscuity]] and/or lack of [[intelligence]], cluelessness and [[Accident-proneness|clumsiness]]. The blonde of the joke is often placed in an unusual situation with a [[brunette]] or [[red hair|redhead]].


The emergence of a class of [[meta-jokes]] about blondes ("meta-blonde jokes", i.e., jokes about blonde jokes) is noted. In a typical plot of this type a blonde complains about the unfairness of the stereotype propagated by blonde jokes, with a punch line actually reinforcing the stereotype.<ref>Limor Shifman, Dafna Lemish, [http://books.google.com/books?id=ZjrXrueVe-0C&pg=PT108 "Virtually Blonde: Blonde Jokes in the Global Age and Postfeminist Discourse"], in: ''The Handbook of Gender, Sex and Media''</ref> An example is about a blonde objecting to a [[ventriloquist]] act packed with sexist jokes about blondes:
The emergence of a class of [[meta-jokes]] about blondes ("meta-blonde jokes", i.e., jokes about blonde jokes) is noted. In a typical plot of this type a blonde complains about the unfairness of the stereotype propagated by blonde jokes, with a punch line actually reinforcing the stereotype.<ref>Limor Shifman, Dafna Lemish, [https://books.google.com/books?id=ZjrXrueVe-0C&pg=PT108 "Virtually Blonde: Blonde Jokes in the Global Age and Postfeminist Discourse"], in: ''The Handbook of Gender, Sex and Media''</ref> An example is about a blonde objecting to a [[ventriloquist]] act packed with sexist jokes about blondes:
{{quote|Blonde: ''"I’ve heard enough of your stupid blonde jokes. What makes you think you can stereotype women that way? What does the colour of a person’s hair have to do with her worth as a human being? It’s men like you that keep women like me from being respected at work and in the community and from reaching our full potential as a person. Because you and men like you continue to perpetuate discrimination against not only blondes, but women in general, and all in the name of humour!"''
{{quote|Blonde: ''"I’ve heard enough of your stupid blonde jokes. What makes you think you can stereotype women that way? What does the color of a person’s hair have to do with her worth as a human being? It’s men like you that keep women like me from being respected at work and in the community and from reaching our full potential as a person. Because you and men like you continue to perpetuate discrimination against not only blondes, but women in general, and all in the name of humor!"''


Ventriloquist: ''"I'm sorry ma'am but..."''
Ventriloquist: ''"I'm sorry ma'am but..."''


Blonde: ''"You stay out of this, mister! I’m talking to that little idiot on your knee."''
Blonde: ''"You stay out of this, mister! I’m talking to that [[Ventriloquist%27s_dummy|little idiot on your knee.]]"''
}}
}}


Line 31: Line 41:


==Criticism==
==Criticism==
Like all humour based on stereotypes, blonde jokes are considered offensive to many people,<ref>{{cite journal
Like all humour based on [[stereotype]]s, blonde jokes are considered offensive to many people,<ref>{{cite journal
| last = Blundy
| last = Blundy
| first = Anna
| first = Anna
| date = 2007-08-25
| date = 2007-08-25
| title = 'Blonde' jokes aren't funny - No other minority would stand for this cruel stereotyping
| title = 'Blonde' jokes aren't funny - No other minority would stand for this cruel stereotyping
| journal = Spectator, The (Romford)
| journal = The Spectator
| pages = 18–19
| pages = 18–19
| issn = 0038-6952
| issn = 0038-6952
}}</ref> particularly women.<ref>{{cite journal
}}</ref> particularly blonde women.<ref>{{cite journal
| last = Greenwood
| last = Greenwood
| first = D
| first = D
Line 52: Line 62:
| issn = 0361-6843
| issn = 0361-6843
| doi = 10.1111/1471-6402.t01-2-00073
| doi = 10.1111/1471-6402.t01-2-00073
| s2cid = 145543259
}}</ref> However, blonde jokes, unlike other jokes that target minorities, do appear in mainstream media such as newspapers and television.
}}</ref>


Blonde jokes have been criticized as [[sexism|sexist]] by several authors, largely because the target is invariably dim-witted, female and sexually promiscuous.<ref>http://books.google.com/books?id=ZjrXrueVe-0C&pg=PT108</ref>
Blonde jokes have been criticized as [[sexism|sexist]] by several authors, largely because the target is invariably dimwitted, female and sexually promiscuous.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZjrXrueVe-0C&pg=PT108|title=The Handbook of Gender, Sex and Media|last=Ross|first=Karen|date=2011-09-07|publisher=John Wiley & Sons|isbn=9781118114223|language=en}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
Line 60: Line 71:
* [[Dumb blonde]]
* [[Dumb blonde]]
* [[Gender inequality]] and [[gender discrimination]]
* [[Gender inequality]] and [[gender discrimination]]
* [[Sardarji jokes]]
* [[Redneck joke]]


==References==
==References==
Line 66: Line 77:


==Further reading==
==Further reading==
* {{citation| url= |title=100% Blonde Jokes: The Best Dumb, Funny, Clean, Short and Long Blonde Jokes Book |author=R. Cristi |publisher=Psylon Press (PPC Media) |year=2010 |isbn=9780986600418 }}
* {{citation|title=100% Blonde Jokes: The Best Dumb, Funny, Clean, Short and Long Blonde Jokes Book |author=R. Cristi |publisher=Psylon Press (PPC Media) |year=2010 |isbn=9780986600418 }}
* {{citation| url= |title=The Ultimate Book of Blonde, Brunette, and Redhead Jokes |author=James Buffington |publisher=Ulysses Press |year=2010 |isbn=9781569757932 }}
* {{citation|title=The Ultimate Book of Blonde, Brunette, and Redhead Jokes |author=James Buffington |publisher=Ulysses Press |year=2010 |isbn=9781569757932 }}


[[Category:Joke cycles]]
[[Category:Joke cycles]]
[[Category:Gender jokes]]
[[Category:Gender jokes]]
[[Category:Stereotypes]]
[[Category:Stereotypes of women]]
[[Category:Blond hair]]

Latest revision as of 13:14, 4 September 2024

Blonde joke
Alternative nameDumb blonde joke
Target of jokeBlonde women
LanguageEnglish

Blonde jokes are a joke cycle based on a stereotype of a dumb blonde woman.[1]

These jokes about people, generally women, who have blonde hair serve as a form of blonde versus brunette rivalry. They are often considered to be derogatory as many are mere variants on traditional ethnic jokes or jests about other identifiable groups that would be considered more offensive (such as Italian jokes involving Carabinieri).

In some cases, jokes about stereotypically stupid people have circulated since the seventeenth century with only the wording and targeted groups changed.[2]

Some blonde jokes rely on sexual humour to portray or stereotype their subjects as promiscuous.[3] Many of these are rephrased sorority girl or Essex girl jokes.[2]

Common traits

[edit]

Blonde jokes nearly always take the format of the blonde placing herself in a situation or making a comment that serves to highlight her supposed promiscuity and/or lack of intelligence, cluelessness and clumsiness. The blonde of the joke is often placed in an unusual situation with a brunette or redhead.

The emergence of a class of meta-jokes about blondes ("meta-blonde jokes", i.e., jokes about blonde jokes) is noted. In a typical plot of this type a blonde complains about the unfairness of the stereotype propagated by blonde jokes, with a punch line actually reinforcing the stereotype.[4] An example is about a blonde objecting to a ventriloquist act packed with sexist jokes about blondes:

Blonde: "I’ve heard enough of your stupid blonde jokes. What makes you think you can stereotype women that way? What does the color of a person’s hair have to do with her worth as a human being? It’s men like you that keep women like me from being respected at work and in the community and from reaching our full potential as a person. Because you and men like you continue to perpetuate discrimination against not only blondes, but women in general, and all in the name of humor!"

Ventriloquist: "I'm sorry ma'am but..."

Blonde: "You stay out of this, mister! I’m talking to that little idiot on your knee."

The British Essex girl joke, very similar in content, became popular in the late 1980s; it satirises working-class girls from the county of Essex.

Criticism

[edit]

Like all humour based on stereotypes, blonde jokes are considered offensive to many people,[5] particularly blonde women.[6]

Blonde jokes have been criticized as sexist by several authors, largely because the target is invariably dimwitted, female and sexually promiscuous.[7]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Thomas, Jeannie B. (1997). "Dumb Blondes, Dan Quayle, and Hillary Clinton: Gender, Sexuality, and Stupidity in Jokes". The Journal of American Folklore. 110 (437): 277–313. doi:10.2307/541162. JSTOR 541162.
  2. ^ a b Giselinde Kuipers, Good Humor, Bad Taste: A Sociology of the Joke, page 24, Walter de Gruyter, 2006, ISBN 9783110186154
  3. ^ Karen Ross, The Handbook of Gender, Sex and Media, chapter 6, John Wiley & Sons, 2011, ISBN 9781118114223
  4. ^ Limor Shifman, Dafna Lemish, "Virtually Blonde: Blonde Jokes in the Global Age and Postfeminist Discourse", in: The Handbook of Gender, Sex and Media
  5. ^ Blundy, Anna (2007-08-25). "'Blonde' jokes aren't funny - No other minority would stand for this cruel stereotyping". The Spectator: 18–19. ISSN 0038-6952.
  6. ^ Greenwood, D; LM Isbell (2002). "Ambivalent Sexism and the Dumb Blonde: Men's and Women's Reactions to Sexist Jokes". Psychology of Women Quarterly. 26 (4). Blackwell Publishers: 341–350. doi:10.1111/1471-6402.t01-2-00073. ISSN 0361-6843. S2CID 145543259.
  7. ^ Ross, Karen (2011-09-07). The Handbook of Gender, Sex and Media. John Wiley & Sons. ISBN 9781118114223.

Further reading

[edit]
  • R. Cristi (2010), 100% Blonde Jokes: The Best Dumb, Funny, Clean, Short and Long Blonde Jokes Book, Psylon Press (PPC Media), ISBN 9780986600418
  • James Buffington (2010), The Ultimate Book of Blonde, Brunette, and Redhead Jokes, Ulysses Press, ISBN 9781569757932
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