Dumb Blondes, Dan Quayle, and Hillary Clinton: Gender, Sexuality, and Stupidity in Jokes

Authors

Jeannie Thomas, Utah State UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Journal/Book Title/Conference

Journal of American Folklore

Volume

110

Issue

874/2

Publication Date

1997

First Page

277

Last Page

313

Abstract

Jokes about "dumb blondes," Dan Quayle, and Hillary Clinton often share themes, including their stupidity and a negative depiction of their sexuality. However, gender does not receive the overt emphasis in Quayle jokes that it does in dumb-blonde jokes and Hillary Clinton jokes. Also, audience response to jokes in all three joke cycles indicates that the perception of a joke as "true" can contribute to the enjoyment of it for some listeners.

Recommended Citation

“Dumb Blondes, Dan Quayle, and Hillary Clinton: Gender, Sexuality, and Stupidity in Jokes.” Journal of American Folklore 110.437(1997):277-313.