18 jokes that will make you seem smarter

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As with inside jokes, we often appreciate intellectual jokes because we understand them in a way that others may not.

For the nerd in us all, INSIDER combed through Reddit to compile a list of the best jokes for smart people that we could find.

You don't have to be a genius to understand these, but you may have to know a thing or two about physics, literature, sociology, and more. Luckily, we've also included explanations if some of the jokes go over your head.

Here are 18 jokes and puns that made us laugh, groan, and smirk in satisfaction:

1. Who is this Rorschach guy and why does he paint so many pictures of my parents fighting?

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Here's why it's funny: The Rorschach test is a projective psychological test created by Swiss psychologist Hermann Rorschach in 1921. During the test, a psychologist shows you several inkblot cards and records your perception of each one. It's typically used to examine a patient's subconscious or unconscious thoughts, personality traits, and hidden emotions.

So a person thinking they see their parents fighting when they see a Rorschach test? They probably have some unconscious thoughts to work out.

Source: Deleted user, Reddit

 

3. Two sociologists are sitting by the pool. One turns to the other and asks, "Have you read Marx?" to which he replies, "Yes, it's these damn wicker chairs."

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Here's why it's funny: Sociologists are likely well-acquainted with Karl Marx's theories about economics, politics, and society. But this joke isn't about Marx or his ideas, but about how wicker chairs tend to leave red indentations on your skin.

While the sociologist who asked the question meant, "Have you read Marx?" the other sociologist heard it as, "Have you red marks?"

Source: tall_where_it_counts, Reddit

3. Pavlov is sitting at a pub enjoying a pint. The phone rings and he jumps up shouting, "Oh s---, I forgot to feed the dog!"

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Here's why it's funny: Originally told by comedian Irwin Barker, this joke draws upon Ivan Pavlov's groundbreaking research on classical conditioning and behavioral psychology.

In his experiments, Pavlov — who had previously observed that dogs drooled at the sight of food — conducted trials in which he rang a bell before he fed a dog. Eventually, the dogs, who had been conditioned to associate the sound of the bell with food, started drooling at the sound of the bell alone.

This joke turns the experiment on its ear with Pavlov hearing a sound and remembering to feed the dogs.

Source: disposableaccountass, Reddit

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