Doctor, doctor, I feel like a pair of curtains*

At The Writer, we love a good cracker joke. And by good, of course we mean bad.

They’re a staple part of Christmas aren’t they? Like presents, turkey, or the Doctor Who special. It just wouldn’t be the same without them.

But why are they so universally bad?

According to Professor Richard Wiseman, it’s down to the psychology of it all.

Whenever you tell a joke, the chances are not everyone will find it funny. By telling a joke to a group of people, you essentially split that group – into the people that find it funny, and the people that don’t. Or even worse – if everyone thinks it’s awful, then it’s them against you. And that’s just plain embarrassing.

But when you tell a joke that you know is bad – that’s meant to be bad – then the bigger the groan it gets, the better. It unites the group, and pits everyone against the joke.

Clever, eh?

I guess it’s like our Padders said – it’s better to get a reaction out of your readers than leave them feeling nothing at all.

*Oh pull yourself together.