Thanksgiving is a time for gathering with family, reflecting on what we’re grateful for, and enjoying a hearty meal. It’s also a holiday ripe with opportunities for humor! Laughter connects us during gatherings and lifts our spirits as we celebrate traditions old and new.
In this post, we’ve compiled 75 of the best Thanksgiving jokes guaranteed to get a chuckle at the dinner table. From pilgrim puns to classic turkey jokes, these quips cover all the essential themes of the season. Read on for a dose of humor highlighting nostalgia, gratitude, and the cooking fails we somehow love.
Pilgrim Jokes: Humor From the Mayflower
Pilgrims played a pivotal role in the first Thanksgiving feast back in 1621. These English settlers have become an iconic symbol of early American colonial life. Here are some jokes poking fun at the pilgrims’ lives and legacy:
Why did the Pilgrim’s pants always fall down? Because they wore their belt buckle on their hat!
How did the Pilgrim find his wife? He followed the footprints in the butter!
Why can’t you take Pilgrims grocery shopping? Because they only use Plymouth Rocks!
Why did the Pilgrim put beans in his shoes? For nutritional value!
Did you hear about the lazy Pilgrim? He didn’t even go “aweigh” on the Mayflower!
The pilgrims faced many hardships, yet persevered with courage and faith. These jokes reflect our modern interpretation of their lifestyle and traditions. They remind us to keep perspective, even when recalling history!
Gobbling Up Turkey Jokes
No Thanksgiving meal feels complete without turkey taking center stage. These bird-brained jokes will have the whole table cackling:
Why did the turkey cross the road? To prove he wasn’t chicken!
What key won’t open any door? A tur-key!
Why did the turkey sit on the tomahawk? To hatchet!
What’s the best dance to do on Thanksgiving? The turkey trot!
Why did the turkey play drums in his band? Because he already had drumsticks!
Turkeys make perfect comedic fodder, allowing us to poke fun at these goofy-looking birds. They’re gobbled up for holiday meals, yet also symbols of harvest festival whimsy when pardoned by presidents. These jokes let our turkey day meals take a humorous twist!
Pie Puns and Food Fails
From mishaps in the kitchen to the irresistible allure of dessert, Thanksgiving feasts breed endless joke material. Get ready to gobble up these tasty quips:
What do you call an angry baked good? A pie-rated!
What do you call a fake noodle? An impasta!
Why did the cranberries turn red? They saw the turkey dressing!
What’s the best thing to put into pumpkin pie? Your teeth!
Why did the Brussels sprouts get invited to the Thanksgiving dinner? They had lot of stalks!
When we can laugh together over burnt pies and soggy stuffing, it takes the pressure off creating that picture-perfect Norman Rockwell meal. Food humor reassures us that the joy of Thanksgiving goes deeper than what’s on the table!
Family Funnies: The Ties That Bind
Beyond the food and festivities, Thanksgiving centers around family. These jokes about wacky relatives and holiday drama are sure to hit home:
Why don't families play poker on Thanksgiving? Too many cheaters!
What do you call a snowman on Thanksgiving? A puddle!
My family told me to stop telling Thanksgiving jokes ...but I told them I couldn't quit cold turkey!
Which side of the turkey has the most feathers? The outside!
Why did the police arrest the turkey? They suspected fowl play!
Part of loving our families is being able to laugh at their quirks, as well as our own! Poking fun reminds us that amid any tensions, our connections during the holidays are what matters most.
Classic Thanksgiving Jokes From Pop Culture
Popular TV shows, movies and comedians have lent their own humor to Thanksgiving over the years. Enjoy these beloved quips:
“An optimist is a fellow who believes what’s going to be will be postponed.” – Kin Hubbard
“Thanksgiving dinners take eighteen hours to prepare. They are consumed in twelve minutes. Half-times take twelve minutes. This is not coincidence.” – Erma Bombeck
“If turkey is on the menu, try to make sure it’s not the main course.” – Caryl Rae Krukar
"On Thanksgiving Day all over America, families sit down to dinner at the same moment - halftime." – Unknown
“Thanksgiving is the holiday that encompasses all others. All of them, from Martin Luther King Day to Arbor Day, are in one way or another about being thankful.” – Linus Van Pelt, “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving”
These amusing takes on Thanksgiving are classics for good reason. They remind us to be lighthearted, reflect on gratitude, and treasure the simple moments during the holidays and everyday life.
Using Humor to Enhance Holiday Celebrations
Now that you’ve got a belt-busting serving of Thanksgiving humor, how can you incorporate it into the festivities? Consider these ideas:
Get Creative with Holiday Cards
Surprise friends and family by including a few jokes or quips in your Thanksgiving greetings. Sneak in a pie pun or turkey joke to spread extra holiday cheer!
Break the Ice at Dinner
Is the turkey taking longer than expected? The kids getting restless? Break out some humor to lighten the mood! Short jokes work well as natural conversation starters.
Share on Social Media
Post that silly gif poking fun at novice turkey carvers. Quote a humorous movie line about gratitude. Find opportunities to sprinkle joy through social platforms.
Give Thanks with Chuckles
Before dinner, have everyone share a short lighthearted toast, joke, or fond memory. Kick off the meal with gratefulness and laughter!
Why Thanksgiving Humor Matters
Beyond getting laughs and groans, Thanksgiving jokes serve important purposes:
Humor Enhances Holiday Spirit
Laughter relieves stress, making gatherings more enjoyable. Jokes help create a celebratory mood and sense of togetherness.
It Improves Family Bonding
Playfully teasing each other affectionately can diffuse tensions between generations and family members. Humor and laughter foster goodwill.
Reflects Cultural Values
The themes we kid about reveal what holds meaning in our society. Thanksgiving jokes highlight family, food, gratitude and our vision of the “ideal” holiday.
This Thanksgiving, remember to make room for merriment alongside meaning. Here's to laughter, family and being thank-full! What are your favorite Thanksgiving jokes or memories? Share in the comments below!
References
Bombeck, E. (n.d.) BrainyQuote.com. Retrieved November 15, 2022, from BrainyQuote.com Web site: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/erma_bombeck_109915
Hubbard, K. (n.d.) Goodreads. Retrieved November 15, 2022, from Goodreads Web site: https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/thanksgiving
Krukar, C. R. (n.d.) Goodreads. Retrieved November 15, 2022, from Goodreads Web site: https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/thanksgiving
Schulz, C. M. (1973) A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving. [TV special]. Bill Melendez Productions.
Frequently Asked Questions About Thanksgiving Jokes
The blog post above explores the themes and significance of Thanksgiving humor. Here are answers to some common questions about getting laughs from turkey day jokes and pranks:
Why are pilgrim jokes so popular on Thanksgiving?
The pilgrims hold an iconic place in Thanksgiving lore, so they naturally become fodder for laughs. Exaggerating stereotypes about pilgrims’ formal clothing, lack of technology, and struggles with sailing provides comedic material. Pilgrim jokes also allow us to poke fun at some of the more absurd or unreliable aspects of how American history is remembered. The humor highlights gaps between our romanticized vision versus the actual hardships the pilgrims endured.
What are some family-friendly turkey jokes to share?
Turkey jokes are a fun way to make kids giggle on Thanksgiving without any inappropriate content. Here are some kid-approved turkey gags:
What did the turkey say to the turkey hunter on Thanksgiving? "Quack, quack!"
What kind of key opens a turkey’s door? A turkey feather!
What do you get if you divide the circumference of a pumpkin by its diameter? Pumpkin π!
Why did the cranberries turn red? They saw the turkey dressing!
What did the turkey say before it was roasted? "Boy, I'm stuffed!"
How can I use Thanksgiving humor on social media?
Social media is the perfect place to share Thanksgiving jokes, memes and funny stories. Some creative ways to spread laughs through social platforms include:
Posting silly Twitter threads telling tales of your turkey cooking fails or crazy family dynamics.
Sharing funny vintage Thanksgiving cards that highlight the holiday's nostalgia on Instagram.
Creating a Facebook photo album titled "Thanksgiving Fashion Faux Pas" showing awkward retro styles.
Pinning DIY craft ideas for place cards decorated with corny turkey puns on Pinterest.
Compiling a YouTube playlist of iconic Thanksgiving scenes from TV sitcoms.
What are some funny icebreakers for family gatherings?
If tensions run high at family events, use humor to break the ice. Fun icebreakers include:
Going around sharing each person's most embarrassing Thanksgiving memory.
Playing charades where people act out funny scenarios like detecting a burnt pie.
Reading aloud awkward or hilarious passages from old Thanksgiving cookbooks.
Having a “corny jokes” contest to see who has the funniest holiday one-liners.
Where can I find more jokes and history about Thanksgiving?
Some great resources for expanding your knowledge of Thanksgiving humor include:
Comedic monologues about the holiday by late-night talk show hosts.
Episodes of sitcoms focused on funny Thanksgiving mishaps.
Videos of classic stand-up routines mentioning Thanksgiving traditions.
Articles analyzing the cultural history behind Pilgrim stereotypes.
Digging deeper into Thanksgiving's humorous side can provide inspiration for lively conversations and enjoyment during your celebrations. May your holiday be filled with both hearty helpings and hearty laughs!
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