The Ancient Origins of Humor—Tracing Back 4,000 Years
Humor has been a part of human civilization for millennia, with evidence suggesting that even the earliest societies found ways to joke and entertain themselves. The earliest known recorded joke dates back to around 1900 BCE in ancient Sumer, a civilization in Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq) known for pioneering writing, mathematics, and legal codes. This joke, preserved in a Sumerian proverb, reads: “Something which has never occurred since time immemorial; a young woman did not fart in her husband’s lap.” While its humor may not be immediately clear to modern audiences, it reflects a long-standing human tendency to use comedy to address everyday life and bodily functions.
The Sumerians were not alone in their appreciation for humor. Ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome all had their own comedic traditions, often revolving around satire, wordplay, and crude jokes. Egyptian texts from as early as 1600 BCE contain playful sexual innuendos, while Greek philosophers like Aristotle and Plato discussed the role of humor in society. These early jokes, though simple, laid the groundwork for the complex comedic traditions that continue to evolve today.
The Sumerian Tablet That Contains the Oldest Known Joke
Humor, it seems, is as old as civilization itself. The earliest recorded joke comes from ancient Sumer, one of the world’s first great civilizations, located in what is now southern Iraq. This joke, dating back to at least 1900 BC, was discovered on a Sumerian tablet and has been the subject of scholarly research, most notably by Dr. Paul McDonald, a senior lecturer at the University of Wolverhampton. The joke takes the form of a proverb and reads: “Something which has never occurred since time immemorial; a young woman did not fart in her husband’s lap” (Guinness World Records).
Despite its simplicity, this joke reveals much about early humor. Flatulence jokes, still common today, were already a source of amusement in the ancient world. The structure of the joke follows a classic comedic formula—setting up an improbable scenario (a woman never passing gas in her husband’s lap) and delivering a punchline that subverts expectations. Scholars believe the humor lies in the absurdity of the statement, as it suggests that such an event is so rare that it has never happened before (Business Insider).
The joke was unearthed as part of a historical humor study conducted in 2008, commissioned by the television channel Dave. Researchers spent two months tracing the evolution of jokes across different cultures, eventually identifying this Sumerian proverb as the oldest known example of recorded humor. Some scholars speculate that the joke may be even older, potentially originating around 2300 BC.
Interestingly, this was not the only joke found on Sumerian tablets. Another ancient Sumerian joke, dating back roughly 4,000 years, is considered the oldest recorded bar joke. It involves a dog entering a tavern and saying, “I cannot see a thing. I’ll open this one.” However, the meaning of this joke remains unclear, as the humor may have relied on a lost pun or cultural reference that modern scholars have yet to decipher (WBUR).
Ultimately, these ancient jokes highlight the universality of humor. Even in the earliest human societies, people found ways to laugh—often at the same things that amuse us today. Whether through toilet humor or absurd scenarios, the impulse to joke and entertain has been an enduring feature of human culture for thousands of years.
Why the Joke Was About Toilets—Crude Humor in Early Times
Crude humor, particularly jokes about bodily functions, has been a staple of human comedy for thousands of years. The oldest recorded joke, dating back to 1900 BC in Sumeria, is a prime example. The Sumerian proverb states, “Something which has never occurred since time immemorial; a young woman did not fart in her husband’s lap.” This suggests that flatulence, much like today, was a universal source of amusement, crossing cultural and social boundaries. But why did ancient humor lean so heavily on bodily functions?
One reason is relatability. Unlike complex political satire or wordplay, everyone—regardless of social status or education—understood the experience of bodily functions. In early civilizations, where oral storytelling was the primary means of entertainment, humor needed to be immediate and accessible. Additionally, jokes about flatulence and other bodily functions played with social taboos. Even in ancient Sumeria, certain topics were considered improper for formal discourse, making humor a way to acknowledge them in a socially acceptable manner.
Moreover, daily life in early civilizations revolved around basic bodily needs. In many ancient societies, communal living meant that privacy was limited—especially regarding toileting and hygiene. This openness likely contributed to the normalization of crude humor. Research led by Dr. Paul McDonald from the University of Wolverhampton found that many of the world’s oldest jokes involve bodily functions, suggesting that this comedic tradition was not unique to Sumeria but was a recurring theme across different cultures. An ancient Egyptian joke from around 1800-1600 BC, for example, also employed crude humor, further proving the longevity of this comedic style.
Ultimately, the persistence of crude humor across millennia reveals an important insight: despite differences in technology, governance, and social structures, humans have always found humor in the most basic aspects of life.
How Ancient Jokes Reflect Society’s Values and Daily Life
Humor has always been more than just entertainment—it’s a reflection of the world in which it was created. Ancient jokes, much like modern ones, reveal what people valued, feared, and found absurd. Take, for instance, the oldest recorded joke from Sumer around 1900 BC: “Something which has never occurred since time immemorial; a young woman did not fart in her husband’s lap.” At first glance, it’s crude, but beneath the surface, it hints at cultural norms surrounding marriage, propriety, and bodily functions—subjects that remain comedic staples today.
Jokes from ancient civilizations often served as social commentary. In Rome, satire was a tool for critiquing corruption, while in Egypt, humor reinforced social hierarchies. Pompeian graffiti, filled with witty insults and everyday frustrations, offers a glimpse into the daily lives of ordinary Romans. Similarly, a Sumerian riddle about livestock disputes underscores the agricultural economy’s importance. Even humor about rulers—like Egyptian jokes about pharaohs—suggests that laughter provided a subtle means of challenging authority.
Ultimately, these ancient quips remind us that humor is timeless. While the specifics change, the underlying themes—power, relationships, and the absurdity of life—remain remarkably consistent. Looking at what made ancient people laugh tells us as much about their world as their laws and monuments do.
Other Early Jokes from Ancient Egypt and Greece
Humor has been a part of human civilization for millennia, and some of the earliest recorded jokes come from Ancient Egypt and Greece. These jokes, often laced with wordplay, social commentary, and crude humor, offer a glimpse into the daily lives and values of these ancient societies.
In Egypt, one of the oldest known jokes appears in the Westcar Papyrus, dating back to around 1600 BC. This joke involves a pharaoh being entertained by a boat filled with young women wearing fishing nets, a clear example of early sexual humor. Another Egyptian joke, recorded around 30 BC, compares a man’s sexual eagerness to that of a donkey, humorously noting that financial constraints are the only thing limiting his desires. These jokes highlight how Egyptian humor often revolved around human nature and bodily functions—an enduring comedic theme.
Greek humor, on the other hand, often leaned into wordplay and satire. One of the oldest Greek jokes comes from The Odyssey (circa 800 BC), where Odysseus tricks the Cyclops by claiming his name is “Nobody.” When Odysseus blinds the Cyclops, the monster’s cries for help—”Nobody is hurting me!”—result in comedic confusion. Another example comes from Sophocles’ Oedipus Tyrannus (429 BC), which includes the famous riddle: “What walks on four legs in the morning, two at noon, and three in the evening?” The answer—humans as they crawl as infants, walk upright as adults, and use canes in old age—demonstrates the Greeks’ appreciation for intellectual humor.
By 300-400 AD, Greek humor had expanded to include absurd scenarios, such as a joke about a man who tries to train his donkey not to eat—only for the animal to die of starvation just as it “learns” the lesson. This joke, much like modern dark humor, plays on irony and unintended consequences.
These early jokes from Egypt and Greece reveal that humor, no matter how ancient, often revolves around timeless themes of human behavior, social norms, and clever wordplay. While some jokes may have lost their punch due to cultural shifts, their essence remains surprisingly familiar, proving that laughter truly transcends time.
How Humor Evolved from Simple Jests to Complex Satire
Humor has been an integral part of human expression for thousands of years, evolving from crude jokes about bodily functions to sophisticated satire that critiques society and politics. The earliest recorded jokes, such as the Sumerian proverb from 1900 BC about a young woman passing gas in her husband’s lap, demonstrate that toilet humor has always been a source of amusement. These simple jests reflected universal human experiences and were likely shared in informal settings as a way to bond and entertain.
As societies developed, humor became more structured, incorporating riddles, puns, and question-and-answer formats. Ancient Greek and Roman comedies, for instance, introduced witty wordplay and situational irony, often poking fun at politics, social norms, and human folly. The works of Aristophanes in classical Athens were among the first to use satire explicitly, blending humor with sharp critiques of democracy, war, and leadership. Similarly, Roman poets like Juvenal refined satire into a literary form, using humor to expose corruption and hypocrisy in the empire.
By the Middle Ages, jesters entertained royal courts with clever quips that subtly criticized the ruling elite. The Renaissance and Enlightenment further expanded satire, with writers such as Jonathan Swift and Voltaire using humor to challenge authority and provoke intellectual discourse. In the modern era, satire has flourished in stand-up comedy, television, and digital media, allowing humor to remain a powerful tool for both entertainment and social commentary.
The Legacy of Ancient Humor in Modern Comedy
Humor has been an integral part of human society for millennia, evolving from simple jests to complex satire. The earliest recorded jokes, such as the Sumerian flatulence joke from 1900 BC, reveal that humans have long found amusement in bodily functions and taboo subjects. These themes persist in modern comedy, demonstrating that humor’s core elements—absurdity, irony, and social commentary—have remained remarkably consistent over time.
Ancient humor also laid the groundwork for comedic structures still in use today. The setup-and-punchline format of the Sumerian joke mirrors the structure of modern stand-up routines. Similarly, Greek and Roman comedic traditions, such as the Philogelos (a collection of jokes from the 4th century AD), relied on wordplay, satire, and observational humor—techniques that continue to shape contemporary comedy. Even the ancient Roman “your mom” joke, dating back to Emperor Augustus’s reign (63 BC–14 AD), shows that certain comedic tropes have endured for centuries.
Beyond structure, humor has long served as a tool for social critique. Ancient Greek plays, like those of Aristophanes, used satire to mock political figures and societal norms—a practice echoed in today’s political comedy and late-night talk shows. This continuity highlights humor’s enduring role in challenging authority and reflecting cultural values.
Ultimately, the legacy of ancient humor is evident in the ways comedians still draw on timeless themes, comedic structures, and satire. Whether through a 4,000-year-old Sumerian joke or a modern stand-up routine, humor remains a universal language that connects us across time and cultures.
