So Bad It's Good
The Art of the Terrible Joke
Published on 21. May 2026
Book
Hardback
192 pages
978-0-00-878563-5 (ISBN)
Description
So Bad It's Good: The Art of the Terrible Joke isn't just a collection of jokes-it's a masterclass in the fine, underrated art of humorously bad comedy.
Packed with timeless dad jokes and fresh, laugh-out-loud material, this book has jokes for every occasion. Scattered among its treasure trove of jokes are fascinating subject spreads and features that explore the science and culture of comedy.
Why do these so-bad-they're-good jokes work? What's with the dad-joke phenomenon? And how can you write your own groaners that actually land? With sections spanning cheesy puns, funny fish jokes, and silly shaggy dog stories, there's something for everyone here. Plus, spreads featuring hilarious insights into the world of joke-telling ensure this book is more than just your average joke book.
For dads, aspiring stand-up kings, and anyone looking to steal the room with an expertly delivered joke, this side-splitting guide delivers laughs on every page.
Subject Spreads:
? Cheese jokes.
? Fish jokes.
? History jokes.
? Animal jokes.
Feature Spreads:
? Jokes throughout history.
? Why jokes work.
? Why are rubbish jokes so good?
? How to write your own rubbish jokes.
? How to deliver a joke non-rubbishly.
? Why do Christmas crackers have jokes in?
? The dad/joke connection.
Packed with timeless dad jokes and fresh, laugh-out-loud material, this book has jokes for every occasion. Scattered among its treasure trove of jokes are fascinating subject spreads and features that explore the science and culture of comedy.
Why do these so-bad-they're-good jokes work? What's with the dad-joke phenomenon? And how can you write your own groaners that actually land? With sections spanning cheesy puns, funny fish jokes, and silly shaggy dog stories, there's something for everyone here. Plus, spreads featuring hilarious insights into the world of joke-telling ensure this book is more than just your average joke book.
For dads, aspiring stand-up kings, and anyone looking to steal the room with an expertly delivered joke, this side-splitting guide delivers laughs on every page.
Subject Spreads:
? Cheese jokes.
? Fish jokes.
? History jokes.
? Animal jokes.
Feature Spreads:
? Jokes throughout history.
? Why jokes work.
? Why are rubbish jokes so good?
? How to write your own rubbish jokes.
? How to deliver a joke non-rubbishly.
? Why do Christmas crackers have jokes in?
? The dad/joke connection.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Publishing group
HarperCollins Publishers
Dimensions
Height: 205 mm
Width: 137 mm
Thickness: 20 mm
Weight
256 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-00-878563-5 (9780008785635)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
05/2026
HarperCollins
€6.99
Available for download
Person
Mike Rampton is much more than a dad-joke aficionado-he's a comedy connoisseur. A celebrated author and writer of clever, quirky content, Mike has a knack for turning even the silliest topics into engaging reads.
His works include There's No Such Thing as a Silly Question (Nosy Crow, 2024), published in collaboration with the University of Cambridge and sold in an impressive 22 territories. Coming soon are Become a Genius in a Year (HarperCollins Children's Books, May 2025) and Poo What Where? (Bloomsbury, 2026), a light-hearted look at the fascinating world of faeces. Look out for Your Brilliant Brain (Nosy Crow, 2027), a picture book that explores the wonders of neuroscience. When he's not writing, Mike contributes to leading outlets such as Esquire, Thrillist, Mental Floss, and Kerrang!
His works include There's No Such Thing as a Silly Question (Nosy Crow, 2024), published in collaboration with the University of Cambridge and sold in an impressive 22 territories. Coming soon are Become a Genius in a Year (HarperCollins Children's Books, May 2025) and Poo What Where? (Bloomsbury, 2026), a light-hearted look at the fascinating world of faeces. Look out for Your Brilliant Brain (Nosy Crow, 2027), a picture book that explores the wonders of neuroscience. When he's not writing, Mike contributes to leading outlets such as Esquire, Thrillist, Mental Floss, and Kerrang!