Customer Reviews

Rationale of the Dirty Joke: An Analysis of Sexual Humor

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Proof that academicians can turn any subject into a scholarly study; Legman, an anthropologist, catalogs dirty jokes by type, then traces their history back to ancient folklore, explaining the sources, variations and history. This is a book that works on two levels; if you're really interested in learning that farmer's daughter jokes have a precedent in 12th Century literature, then you won't be disappointed. On the other hand, if you just want to read the good parts and skip the analysis, the book's format makes that easy to do, too. It's unfortunate that both volumes of the "Rationale" are out of print, because they belong in the collection of anyone who's interested in the "more things change the more they stay the same" theory of history, as well as those who just want good jokes to tell people around the water cooler or via email.

I first read this book in college in the early 70's and thoroughly enjoyed this and the 2nd volume for both their literary and scatalogical merit. I just read that Gershon Legman died on Feb 23, 1999 at age 81 at a hospital near his home in Opio, France. Nice obit in NYT, Sunday 3/14/99.

I hope his scholarship and fight against censorship will motivate some publisher to re-issue these two classics.

I always thought my mother was smarter than she let on. She had me read "the rationale of the dirty joke" when I was in my early teens. She told me not to read the jokes so much, but also what was written about the jokes in between. The book/s we had, two by the same name (vol 1 & vol 2)) taught the psychology of why people laugh at 'dirty' jokes. It's armed me in life with an understanding of humour, and the core of humour within us; why we laugh. I can no longer locate my copies, but like the earlier post, I wouldn't sell them for any money if I could find them.

Luckily, I have both volumes on my shelf, so I don't need to pick either up-- but volume one, used, for less than ten bucks on Amazon?? Get it! This is a hysterically mordant look at dirty jokes by one of the sharpest and filthiest minds ever. And volume one is easier to digest than volume two (which is more oriented to potty humor and perversion). Check the prices for Vol. II on Amazon! As you see, not cheap. So: pick up Vol. I and see what the fuss is about-- you'll be pleasantly surprised at Legman's cranky takes on jokes in every category. He was completely unique; you'll enjoy meeting him, despite his dyspeptic outlook and air of superiority (to everyone, including you). The joke may be dead, but the body's buried here-- and it still looks funny.

I picked up the dirty old thumbed copy from a salvalion army op shop for 30 cents. It looked like all the pages were bent but they had been carfully turned over to mark some of the jokes many years before. I started reading. It was not just a collection of jokes but a beautifully researched and systematic approach. It is to jokes what the oxford dictionary is to the language. It suprising the change since it was written as amongst my friends many of the jokes are not well known and clearly others have technological adaptation. the suprising issue is how things have changed culturally since it was written. One wonders if menstral jokes for example are shared within lesbian social groups that would be taboo in other company or if the degree of ethnic jokes that are no longer promulgated in polite company have their early source listed here. If the porice was right I would like copies for my friends

Looking for a rather illuminating, analytical, and yet completely fun read on the background and psyche behind dirty jokes? Don't even think about not reading this book. Legman's categorization and insight is beyond interesting. It's great.

Although this may be an extensive and erudite history of sexual humor be forewarned: it is a textbook. This massive and well researched tome would be perfect in a classroom setting or for the academic looking more to indulge in esoterica than humor.