Feeling a little down in the dumps lately? Well, we’ve got the perfect remedy for you!
Get ready to crack up with our hilarious collection of over 131 ham jokes that’ll have you squealing.
From silly one-liners to witty puns, these jokes will brighten your day and leave you grinning from ear to ear.
Whether you’re a fan of classic knock-knock jokes or prefer something a little more offbeat, we’ve got you covered.
So, let’s dive into this meaty collection of ham-tastic humor and get ready to giggle, chuckle, and snort your way to a happier, more joyful day!
What Did the Turkey Say to the Ham? Exploring the Origins of this Classic Thanksgiving Joke
The Thanksgiving holiday is full of time-honored traditions like parades football games and spending time with loved ones. But one of the most cherished traditions is gathering around the table to enjoy a delicious feast. And what would a Thanksgiving dinner be without turkey and ham? These two meats have graced holiday tables for centuries. In fact, they’ve become such staples that we can’t help but joke about them conversing with each other across the table. The classic line “What did the turkey say to the ham?” has been making us chuckle for generations. Let’s explore the history and humor behind this iconic Thanksgiving joke.
A Tradition as Old as Thanksgiving Itself
Historical records show that turkey and ham were both served at the very first Thanksgiving in 1621. The Pilgrims who sailed to Plymouth Rock brought fowl like ducks, geese and turkeys which were native to the New World. The Wampanoag tribe contributed venison from deer they had hunted. Pork in the form of hams and bacon provided by the colonists was also plentiful
Over the next two centuries, roasted turkey became more traditional as the centerpiece of the meal. Ben Franklin himself advocated for the turkey as our national bird given its uniquely American origins and majestic stature. And ham persisted as a hearty, flavorful accompaniment to the turkey. By the 1800s, the turkey-and-ham duo had become cemented as Thanksgiving staples.
The Joke Takes Shape
With turkey and ham sharing the spotlight each November, it was only natural that Americans started joking about their unlikely pairing. An early iteration of the joke appeared in 1929 when the Choteau Acantha newspaper in Montana printed:
“Knock knock”
“Who’s there?”
“Ham”
“Ham who?”
“Ham glad Thanksgiving is here!”
The basic premise was clever and relatable, so versions of the joke continued popping up in American pop culture. Comedians worked it into routines. Thanksgiving caricatures in magazines showed turkeys and hams chatting at the dinner table. The knock-knock style highlighted the absurdity of these centerpiece meats conversing like old friends.
Why We Can’t Stop Laughing
Several key factors make the “turkey and ham” joke an enduring Thanksgiving tradition:
Personification – By giving human qualities to the turkey and ham, we add an element of ridiculousness. The conversation between them becomes silly yet charming.
Wordplay – The joke hinges on simple puns like “ham” sounding like “ham.” Little word tricks tickle our funny bone.
Familiarity – We look forward to hearing variations of the joke each year. The anticipation makes it more amusing.
Relatability – Turkey and ham are so ubiquitous on Thanksgiving that joking about them feels relevant to our experience.
So this simple play on words endures because it blends the right balance of personification, wordplay, familiarity and relatability. It fondly pokes fun at foods most of us enjoy on the holiday.
Modern Twists on an Old Joke
While the original premise stays the same, comedians and families are always adding new takes on the classic joke. Here are some more modern versions:
Turkey: Knock knock
Ham: Who’s there?
Turkey: It’s me, the turkey
Ham: Oh, it’s so nice to meat you!
Turkey: Hey ham, want to hear a Thanksgiving joke?
Ham: Sure!
Turkey: Knock Knock
Ham: Who’s there?
Turkey: No one now because you’ve been eaten.
These updates throw in some millennial snark and dark humor about the turkey and ham’s ultimate fate. The unexpected morbid turn at the end surprises us and taps into the zeitgeist. But the overall formula remains comfortingly familiar.
Bringing Us Together
In the end, the enduring appeal of the “turkey and ham” joke is its ability to highlight the togetherness of Thanksgiving. It playfully celebrates the quirky foods so central to our memories of the holiday. The joke invites us to chuckle at our traditions, even as we carry them on for new generations. No matter how many times we hear it, it reminds us what the holiday is really about – enjoying each other’s company and counting our blessings.
So this Thanksgiving when you gather for the feast, feel free to recite this vintage one-liner. Put your own new spin on it while asking your uncle to pass the gravy. The laughter it sparks will bring your Turkey Day table a little closer together.
Ham Jokes for Kids
- What do you call a pig that knows karate? – A ham-urai!
- Why did the pig go to the beach? – To catch some rays and become a tanned ham!
- What do you call a pig that loves to read? – A book-worm ham!
- Why did the pig wear sunglasses? – To look cool and shady, just like a cham-pig-ne!
- What do you call a pig that loves to dance? – A ham-ster of dance!
- Why did the pig go to the gym? – To get ham-some muscles!
- What do you call a pig that’s good at math? – Ein-swine!
- Why did the pig refuse to take a bath? – He wanted to stay a dirty ham!
- What do you call a pig that’s a scaredy-cat? – A ham-ster!
- Why did the pig go to the airport? – To catch a ham-plane!
- What do you call a pig that loves to play video games? – A ham-ster gamer!
- Why did the pig wear a raincoat? – To stay dry and become a ham-brella!
- What do you call a pig that’s a master of disguise? – A ham-ouflage artist!
- Why did the pig go to the doctor? – Because it was feeling a little ham-der the weather!
- What do you call a pig that’s a great swimmer? – A ham-pion swimmer!
Food and Cooking Ham Jokes
- Why was the ham kicked out of the kitchen? – For being too salty!
- What do you call a ham that’s been stolen? – A hamburglar!
- What’s a ham’s favorite type of coffee? – A ham-uccino!
- Why did the ham go to the doctor? – Because it was feeling a little smoky!
- What’s a pig’s favorite restaurant? – Hamburglar King!
- Why did the chef refuse to cook the ham? – Because it wouldn’t stop bacon orders!
- What do you call a ham that’s been sliced too thin? – Shaved ham!
- Why did the ham go on a diet? – To get its summer body ready for the grill!
- What’s a ham’s least favorite type of music? – Sizzle-hop!
- Why did the ham refuse to go camping? – Because it didn’t want to become bacon bits!
- What do you call a fancy ham dinner? – A ham-quet!
- Why was the pig banned from the kitchen? – For hogging all the food!
- What do you call a pig that’s a chef? – A sous-squeal!
- Why did the ham go to the gym? – To get nice and firm for the dinner table!
- What’s a ham’s favorite type of shoe? – Flip-porks!
- What did the Christmas ham say to the turkey? – “Don’t worry, I’ll cover for you!”
- Why did the Easter bunny hide the eggs in the pig pen? – He wanted to make ham and eggs!
- What do you call an elf who loves ham? – A ham-elf!
- Why did the pig dress up as Santa? – To deliver Christmas hams to all the good boys and girls!
- What did the Thanksgiving ham say to the cranberry sauce? – “I’m so glad we’re paired together!”
- Why did the pig wear red and green on Christmas? – He wanted to be a ham-ous elf!
- What’s a reindeer’s favorite ham dish? – Rein-deer sausage!
- Why did the ham join the Easter egg hunt? – To prove it was egg-cellent at hiding!
- What do you call a pig that loves to celebrate Hanukkah? – A Hanukkah ham-akkah!
- Why did the Christmas ham refuse to be served? – It wasn’t ready to meat its fate!
- What do you get when you cross a leprechaun with a pig? – A shamham!
- Why did the pig wear a costume on Halloween? – To go trick-or-treating as a deviled ham!
- What did Santa say when he found a pig in his sleigh? – “Well, I guess I’m delivering hams this year!”
- Why did the Valentine’s Day card have a picture of a pig on it? – Because it said “I’m hams over heels for you!”
- What do you call a pig that loves to celebrate New Year’s Eve? – A New Year’s Eve ham-pagner!
what did the turkey say to the ham?
FAQ
Why should we eat ham instead of turkey?
Ham offers great amounts of protein being a red meat, in comparison to the white meat of turkey. More importantly, who would want to spend Thanksgiving day eating dry tasting turkey, when they can spend it enjoying the sweetness and flavor of ham? Mr.
Which tastes better, ham or turkey?
Regular ham is typically the most flavorful of the three, with a salty and savory taste. Chicken ham has a milder flavor and a more tender texture. Turkey ham has a slightly gamey flavor and a firmer texture. If you are looking for a healthier option, chicken or turkey ham may be a good choice.
Is it normal to eat ham on Thanksgiving?
Some families opt for ham because it’s flavorful, easy to prepare, and can serve a large gathering. Unlike Thanksgiving where turkey is a more common centerpiece, Christmas meals can vary widely, with ham, roast beef, lamb, or other dishes being popular choices.
What is more expensive, ham or turkey?
Price comparison.
Fresh turkeys will cost a little more per pound, but they are lighter so the cost evens out. They are also superior in taste as fresh usually tastes better than frozen. If you are buying a Thanksgiving ham, you can expect to pay between $5-$7 per pound.
What is turkey ham?
Turkey ham is a processed meat product made from cooked or cured turkey meat, water and other ingredients such as binders. Turkey ham products contain no pork products. Several companies in the United States produce turkey ham and market it under various brand names.
What is a hammam in Turkey?
A hammam in Turkey is a traditional communal bathing facility. It includes a bath, a heavy-duty body scrub, and a soapy massage.
What are some funny dad jokes on Turkey Day?
There’s nothing like a totally silly dad joke to keep the laughs coming this Turkey Day. Like this one: Knock, knock! Who’s there? Anita. Anita who? Anita bigger pair of pants — I ate too much pumpkin pie. Fortunately, we’ve got all the corny jokes, knock-knocks and funny puns on turkeys, parades, Pilgrims and everything else Turkey Day-related.