Let’s face it—few things are more groan-worthy, eye-roll-inducing, and weirdly lovable than a classic dad joke. You know the type: puns so bad they’re good, delivered with unapologetic confidence and usually followed by a proud grin from dad (and exaggerated sighs from everyone else).
But where did these glorious punchlines come from? The “dad joke” as a cultural phenomenon is surprisingly timeless. Wordplay and puns date back to ancient civilizations—Shakespeare himself was infamous for sneaking puns into his plays. But the term dad joke didn’t make it into the public lexicon until much later. It gained traction in the 1980s, when a Reader’s Digest article used it to describe the corny, harmless humor many fathers had become known for.
By the 2000s, dad jokes had become a genre of their own—celebrated, mocked, and meme-ified across the internet. What makes them so endearing is that they aren’t meant to impress—they’re meant to connect. A dad joke is a gentle, goofy way of saying, “I’m here, I’m listening, and I’m trying to make you smile.”
In a world full of sarcasm and cynicism, dad jokes are refreshingly pure. No edge. No insult. Just a pun, a pause, and a punchline that often misses… but in the best way possible.
So whether you’re a seasoned dad, a dad-in-training, or just someone who appreciates the fine art of a good (or bad) pun, we salute you. Keep the groans coming.
Because if laughter is the best medicine… dad jokes are the vitamin C of comedy: not always requested, sometimes hard to swallow, but somehow still good for the soul.
Chris Longo | Christian Brothers Automotive
Chris Longo, owner of Christian Brothers Automotive – Littleton/Centennial, is a proud husband and dad to two boys, ages 4 and 9. When he’s not fixing cars, he’s delivering classic dad jokes. His favorite? “You guys wanna hear a joke about pizza? Nevermind... it’s too cheesy.” Perfection, served with extra cheese.
cbac.com
Donovan Wygant | AEONIC Garage
Donovan Wygant, owner of Aeonic Garage Doors, is a proud father of two, ages 12 and 5. When asked about his work, he doesn’t miss a beat: “How do you like the garage door business? I love it! It does have its share of ups and downs though.” A classic dad joke—well-oiled, cleverly hinged, and right on track.
aeonicgaragedoor.com
Jack Gelley | iHeart Media
Jack’s quick wit keeps the airwaves lively and his son laughing. This proud dad of one delivers a classic:
“Did you hear about the Arapahoe County Jail heist? All the toilets were stolen. Detectives were stumped—they
had nothing to go on.” A true crime… with a splash of dad humor!
Justin Hill | APEX Energy Solutions
Justin Hill keeps things airtight when it comes to windows, doors, and—you guessed it—dad jokes. A proud dad to his nearly 3-year-old son, he shares this gem: “I never tell jokes inside the home. I’m too afraid the windows will crack up.” A little laughter goes a long way.
Justin.Hill@apexenergygroup.com
Nam Nguyen | Zone Garage
Nam Nguyen, owner of Zone Garage, specializes in durable, eye-catching garage floor coatings, and classic dad humor. A happily married father of two, Nam delivers this gem: “My wife and I have decided not to have kids. The kids are taking it pretty badly.” His floors (and punchlines) are rock solid!
zgdenver.com
James Hutchison | Bumble Bee Blinds
James Hutchison is the proud dad to 11-year-old twin girls—and he’s not afraid to drop some deliciously nerdy wisdom: “To eat the whole cake would be the sin of gluttony. But to eat a whole pie is okay, the sin of pi is zero.” Math never tasted so good.
bumblebeeblinds.com/south-denver-co
The Cornball King!
David Simonson of Simonson Team RE/MAX Professionals proudly wears the crown with two dad jokes sure to spark eye rolls: “What do you call a factory that only makes OK products? A satisfactory.” And, “What did the ocean say to the beach? Nothing, it just waved.” Father of two girls — and plenty of puns!
Simonsonteam.com