What is "dad joke"

n. (context slang English) A lame, embarassing or unfunny joke told by someone's father.

The dad joke is a pejorative term used to describe a corny, unfunny, or predictable joke, typically a pun. Generally inoffensive, dad jokes are traditionally told by fathers among family, either with sincere humorous intent, or to intentionally provoke a negative reaction to its "dagginess". Many dad jokes may be considered anti-jokes, deriving humour from an intentionally unfunny punchline.

The term has spread into general use, receiving mentions in Australian quiz show Spicks and Specks, and American sitcom How I Met Your Mother. A subreddit, r/dadjokes was launched on October 23, 2011, encouraging users to post their own dad jokes.