The funniest parents jokes, ranked.

6 comedians, one topic. Quoted from the source, funniest first by our laugh score: surprise of the turn (40), economy (30) and specificity (30).

1. 1

   MG

   Edinburgh Fringe show, 2016 · on Parents

   83

   “My dad has suggested that I register for a donor card. He’s a man after my own heart.”

   Dave's Funniest Joke of the Fringe 2016 (winner)An idiom made literal and sinister.

   Chortle — And the joke of the 2016 Fringe is… ↗All Parents jokes →

2. 2

   

   Edinburgh Fringe show, 2009 · on Parents

   81

   “I'm sure wherever my dad is; he's looking down on us. He's not dead, just very condescending.”

   Dave's Funniest Joke of the Fringe 2009, #5Grief-speak reversal that reveals a living, snobby dad.

   Chortle — Revealed: The funniest joke on the Fringe (2009) ↗All Parents jokes →

3. 3

   

   The Comeback Kid, 2015 · on Parents

   80

   “My dad loved us. He just didn’t care about our general happiness or self-esteem.”

   Cheerful qualification that quietly devastates.

   Scraps from the Loft — John Mulaney: The Comeback Kid (transcript) ↗All Parents jokes →

4. 4

   HF

   Edinburgh Fringe show, 2022 · on Parents

   76

   “By my age, my parents had a house and a family, and to be fair to me, so do I – but it is the same house and it is the same family.”

   Dave's Funniest Joke of the Fringe 2022, #4Generational envy reframed with a sharp twist.

   Time Out — The top ten jokes at the Edinburgh Fringe (2022) ↗All Parents jokes →

5. 5

   NK

   Edinburgh Fringe show, 2012 · on Parents

   76

   “My mum’s so pessimistic, that if there was an Olympics for pessimism… she wouldn’t fancy her chances.”

   Dave's Funniest Joke of the Fringe 2012, #10Self-proving joke: the punchline is the trait.

   ShortList — The Fringe's funniest jokes revealed (2012) ↗All Parents jokes →

6. 6

   SM

   Edinburgh Fringe show, 2011 · on Parents

   72

   “My mother told me, you don’t have to put anything in your mouth you don’t want to. Then she made me eat broccoli, which felt like double standards.”

   Dave's Funniest Joke of the Fringe 2011, #6Wholesome advice repurposed with Millican's cheeky innuendo.

   Truthdig — 10 Funniest Jokes From the Fringe (2011) ↗All Parents jokes →