ABSTRACT
Language in joking is used in a special way. Different theorists have tried to account for this difference in use with various mechanisms. The joke must be told and recognized as a joke, the joke must be gotten, and the joke must cause a reaction in the listener. Of course, misconnections can happen at any step in the process. Pure jokes are told purely to amuse. Those telling jokes have intentions that may or may not be realized in the audience, but the reaction from the listener is often predictable because the joke is structured in such a way as to disclose its cleverness in a fashion that is constructed to maximize the likelihood of success. The success of joking, unlike regular conversation, depends upon rhythm and timing. As such, by agreeing to be told a joke, the listener has surrendered the ability to contribute to the joking conversation at will.
