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Superiority

Someone looks foolish, gets one-upped, or loses status.

What is Superiority?

Superiority humor — laid out philosophically by Hobbes — locates the laugh in a sudden feeling of advantage over someone else. Roasts, put-downs, competence failures, and schadenfreude all belong here. The audience is invited to feel briefly superior.

How it works

  1. 1.A character or target is set up in a position of status or confidence.
  2. 2.They are then reduced: they fail, are outsmarted, or reveal ignorance.
  3. 3.The audience gets the release of seeing a gap between pretension and reality.
  4. 4.Targeting matters — punching up feels justified, punching down feels cruel.

Signals you've found it

When to reach for it

Superiority fuels roasts, sitcom characters (the pompous boss, the know-it-all), and political satire. It's the mechanism behind most 'characters we love to hate' arcs.

10 examples from the joke corpus

Top-scored superiority jokes from our 359K Reddit and web corpus.

Call me a racist if you want, but south of the border is a sea of violence, corruption and stupidity I wouldn't touch with a ten foot pole. I just thank my lucky stars I live in Canada. Edit: Sorry.

superioritystorymild75,435Tier A
Why is this funny? (Comedy Stack Analysis)

The setup points the reader toward 'Call me a racist if you want, but south of the border is a sea of violence, corruption and stupidity I wouldn't touch...', then the trigger 'Edit: Sorry.' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is superiority.

I wore a suit to work and got my supervisor soft demoted I’m posting mainly because I’m not a passive-aggressive type and I’m in disbelief that this actually worked.   Ever since I started at my job a few months ago, my supervisor—we’ll call him Josh—has been micromanaging me. When I’m the subject of criticism (which is often), I try to give him the benefit of the doubt and ask him to clarify. What are your expectations? What specifically should I have done differently? Josh’s responses are always vague, often something to the effect of “Just do better.” I even had a meeting with Josh and HR to address this, but to no avail. Yesterday, Josh comes to my desk to tell me I need to dress better. Now, I work at a small company, and the vibe is unusually casual. A not-insignificant number of people come to work wearing jeans, hoodies, t-shirts, and/or baseball caps. I have never worn a hat to work, and I make a point of wearing a button-up shirt with a collar every day. This particular day I was wearing a long-sleeve button-up flannel, chino pants, and Adidas gazelles. Other days I wear loafers and dress shirts that are tucked in. So, I ask Josh to clarify. Should I be wearing dress shoes? Dress shirt? Tucked in? What specifically do you want me to change? Josh tells me I just need to dress better and that I should talk to HR for clarification. So I go in to HR and ask, what is the dress code? I get a standard answer: pants, close-toed shoes, no sleeveless shirts, etc. I ask, have I ever worn anything to work that poses a problem? HR says no, you’re fine.   Because I’m mad, and because my repeated efforts to resolve this kind of problem had gone unheeded, I decided to be petty. The next day (today), I showed up to work in a full suit. It’s one I keep for events like weddings, so it’s fitted and I look really sharp in it. It’s also wildly and conspicuously overdressed for the office I work in. I had several interactions with people coming to my desk to comment on my outfit and ask what the occasion was. When anyone asked (only if they asked), I told them I had been told to “dress better.” This was always met with disbelief and incredulity. Two people even said they like the way I dress normally. When anyone asked me who the order came from—again, only if they asked—I told them it came from Josh.   I was expecting to pull my little stunt for a week just to prove a point, and then go back to wearing what I had been wearing before. Word got around the office fast, apparently, because the CEO (Josh’s direct boss) came to my desk later in the day to tell me I would be reporting to him now, and that he’d be having a talk with Josh about this and other issues. It’s important to note that I was Josh’s only underling, so he effectively went from being a supervisor to just a regular employee. I’m on a bit of a high now, I think I’m going to come in to work tomorrow wearing a different one of my flannels! Edit: This blew up! Thank you for all the support. No, this isn't AI and I didn't use ChatGPT to edit for style or grammar. I genuinely like em dashes and I use them regularly in writing—I promise!

superioritydialogueclean71,809Tier A
Why is this funny? (Comedy Stack Analysis)

The setup points the reader toward 'I wore a suit to work and got my supervisor soft demoted I’m posting mainly because I’m not a passive-aggressive type...', then the trigger 'I genuinely like em dashes and I use them regularly in writing—I promise!' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is superiority.

My favorite joke: Everyone Knows Dave Dave was bragging to his boss one day, "You know, I know everyone there is to know. Just name someone, anyone, and I know them." Tired of his boasting, his boss called his bluff, "OK, Dave, how about Tom Cruise?" "No dramas boss, Tom and I are old friends, and I can prove it." So Dave and his boss fly out to Hollywood and knock on Tom Cruise's door, and Tom Cruise shouts, "Dave! What's happening? Great to see you! Come on in for a beer!" Although impressed, Dave's boss is still skeptical. After they leave Cruise's house, he tells Dave that he thinks him knowing Cruise was just lucky. "No, no, just name anyone else," Dave says. "President Obama," his boss quickly retorts. "Yup," Dave says, "Old buddies, let's fly out to Washington," and off they go. At the White House, Obama spots Dave on the tour and motions him and his boss over, saying, "Dave, what a surprise, I was just on my way to a meeting, but you and your friend come on in and let's have a beer first and catch up." Well, the boss is very shaken by now but still not totally convinced. After they leave the White House grounds he expresses his doubts to Dave, who again implores him to name anyone else. "Pope Francis," his boss replies. "Sure!" says Dave. "I've known the Pope for years." So off they fly to Rome. Dave and his boss are assembled with the masses at the Vatican's St. Peter's Square when Dave says, "This will never work. I can't catch the Pope's eye among all these people. Tell you what, I know all the guards so let me just go upstairs and I'll come out on the balcony with the Pope." He disappears into the crowd headed towards the Vatican. Sure enough, half an hour later Dave emerges with the Pope on the balcony, but by the time Dave returns, he finds that his boss has had a heart attack and is surrounded by paramedics. Making his way to his boss' side, Dave asks him, "What happened?" His boss looks up and says, "It was the final straw... you and the Pope came out on to the balcony and the man next to me said, 'Who the fuck is that on the balcony with Dave?'

superioritystoryclean63,047Tier A
Why is this funny? (Comedy Stack Analysis)

The setup points the reader toward 'My favorite joke: Everyone Knows Dave Dave was bragging to his boss one day, "You know, I know everyone there is to k...', then the trigger 'you and the Pope came out on to the balcony and the man next to me said, 'Who the fuck is that on the balcony with Da...' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is superiority.

Can we ban "yo momma" jokes from this sub? They're old, stupid and have been done by literally everyone hundreds of times Just like yo mamma

superioritystorymild62,720Tier A
Why is this funny? (Comedy Stack Analysis)

The setup points the reader toward 'Can we ban "yo momma" jokes from this sub? They're old, stupid and have been done by literally everyone hundreds of t...', then the trigger 'Just like yo mamma' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is superiority.

A woman was in bed with her lover when she heard her husband opening the front door. In a panic she told her lover “Hurry, stand in the corner. Don’t move until I tell you to. Just shut your eyes and pretend you’re a statue.” At the moment her husband walked into the room. “What’s this, honey?” he asked. “Oh, it’s just a statue,” she replied nonchalantly. “The Smiths bought one for their bedroom. I liked it so much, I got one for us too.” They went to sleep and then around three o’clock in the morning the husband got out of bed, went to the kitchen and came back with a sandwich and a glass of milk. “Here,” he said to the statue, “eat something. I stood like an idiot at the Smiths’ for three days and nobody offered me so much as a glass of water.”

superioritystorymild56,984Tier A
Why is this funny? (Comedy Stack Analysis)

The setup points the reader toward 'A woman was in bed with her lover when she heard her husband opening the front door. In a panic she told her lover “H...', then the trigger 'I stood like an idiot at the Smiths’ for three days and nobody offered me so much as a glass of water.”' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is superiority.

A lady approaches a priest and shyly tells him, "Father, I have a problem. I have these two talking female parrots but, they only know how to say one thing... they keep saying 'Hi, we’re hot... do you want to *fuck us*?'" "That's terrible!" says the priest. "But, I have a solution to your problem. Bring your two parrots over to my house tomorrow. I will put them with my two male talking parrots... to whom I've taught to pray and read the bible. My parrots will then teach your parrots to stop saying that terrible filth, and your female parrots will learn to pray and worship the good Lord." So the next day, the lady brings her two female parrots to the priest's house. The priest's two male parrots are holding rosary beads and praying in their cage. The lady puts her female talking parrots in with the male talking Parrots, and the female parrots say, "Hi, we're hot. Do you want to fuck us?” One male parrot looks over at the other male parrot and screams, "put the bible away you idiot, our prayers have been answered!" **EDIT: Thanks a lot to** u/Green_Justice710 **and the 5 anonymous redittors who have awarded me for this... thank you! I'm glad I could make you guys laugh!!** **EDIT 2: Thanks also to** u/darknep u/JMetcalf3 **and 5 other anonymous posters... you're too kind!! Thank you!** **EDIT 3: Just spent the last hour reading up on all the comments and appreciation... this thing really blew up, huh??? Well, you know what that means right?? More Edits, lol... thanks to u**[**/BlackBeard\_727**](https://www.reddit.com/user/BlackBeard_727) **u**[**/Hirsty\_92**](https://www.reddit.com/user/Hirsty_92) **u**[**/Cparman9**](https://www.reddit.com/user/Cparman9) **u/**[**WeHaSaulFan**](https://www.reddit.com/user/WeHaSaulFan) **u**[**/Serg2778**](https://www.reddit.com/user/Serg2778) **u/**[**Official\_Vsauce**](https://www.reddit.com/user/Official_Vsauce) **u**[**/Jocombs**](https://www.reddit.com/user/Jocombs) **u/**[**throwRAnoitsmydog**](https://www.reddit.com/user/throwRAnoitsmydog) **u**[**/walmartlifer**](https://www.reddit.com/user/walmartlifer) **u/**[**GregHawkwind**](https://www.reddit.com/user/GregHawkwind) **u/**[**OneBraveBunny**](https://www.reddit.com/user/OneBraveBunny) **u**[**/reddit\_guy88**](https://www.reddit.com/u/reddit_guy88) **u/**[**PolarJumper**](https://www.reddit.com/user/PolarJumper) **u/**[**NetworkMick**](https://www.reddit.com/user/NetworkMick) **and the multiple anonymous redditors as well. Glad I could tickle your funny bones!! (;**

superioritydialoguemild56,626Tier A
Why is this funny? (Comedy Stack Analysis)

The setup points the reader toward 'A lady approaches a priest and shyly tells him, "Father, I have a problem. I have these two talking female parrots bu...', then the trigger '(;**' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is superiority.

A man in an interrogation room says “I’m not saying a word without my lawyer present.” Cop: You are the lawyer. Lawyer: Exactly, so where’s my present?

superioritydialogueclean53,549Tier A
Why is this funny? (Comedy Stack Analysis)

The setup points the reader toward 'A man in an interrogation room says “I’m not saying a word without my lawyer present.” Cop: You are the lawyer.', then the trigger 'Lawyer: Exactly, so where’s my present?' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is superiority.

My bullies broke my MP3-Player at school. Luckily, my parents bought me an MP4 for my birthday, but these idiots destroyed it again. Tomorrow, I'll bring an MP5.

superioritystorymild53,069Tier A
Why is this funny? (Comedy Stack Analysis)

The setup points the reader toward 'My bullies broke my MP3-Player at school. Luckily, my parents bought me an MP4 for my birthday, but these idiots dest...', then the trigger 'Tomorrow, I'll bring an MP5.' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is superiority.

Don't Read If You're A Trump Supporter A Mexican kid meets Donald Trump and says to him, “I want to be President one day.” Trump says, “Are you stupid? Are you an idiot? Out of your mind? Are you retarded?” The kid replies, “You know what, I’ve changed my mind. Those are too many requirements.”

superioritystorymild50,680Tier A
Why is this funny? (Comedy Stack Analysis)

The setup points the reader toward 'Don't Read If You're A Trump Supporter A Mexican kid meets Donald Trump and says to him, “I want to be President one...', then the trigger 'Those are too many requirements.”' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is superiority.

My boss: “You’re fired.” Me: *turns in gun and badge* My boss: “You’re a waiter where did you get those”

superioritydialogueclean48,285Tier A
Why is this funny? (Comedy Stack Analysis)

The setup points the reader toward 'My boss: “You’re fired.” Me: *turns in gun and badge*', then the trigger 'My boss: “You’re a waiter where did you get those”' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is superiority.

10 stand-up excerpts using superiority

Short attributed bits from live performances where this mechanism is the primary driver.

We did it! We made it! Ooh, ooh!” “da-da!” [Normal voice] what did you make? You made a fool of yourself, is what you made.

Chris D’eliaWHITE MALE. BLACK COMIC.(2013)
superioritystoryclean25 wordssource ↗
Why it works (Comedy Stack analysis)

The setup points the reader toward 'We did it! We made it! Ooh, ooh!” “da-da!” [Normal voice] what did you make?', then the trigger 'You made a fool of yourself, is what you made.' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is superiority.

And you conclude there’s an idiot in that car. You start discussing it with other people in your car. “Have you seen the idiot?” “Ugh!

Michael McintyreHELLO WEMBLEY!(2009)
superioritystorymild25 wordssource ↗
Why it works (Comedy Stack analysis)

The setup points the reader toward 'And you conclude there’s an idiot in that car. You start discussing it with other people in your car.', then the trigger '“Have you seen the idiot?” “Ugh!' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is superiority.

Way to go Mr. Do something Boss, do something. We’ll find ourselves another schmuck. You’re a bummer man. You were funny without us man.

George CarlinPLAYING WITH YOUR HEAD(1986)
superioritystoryclean24 wordssource ↗
Why it works (Comedy Stack analysis)

The setup points the reader toward 'Way to go Mr. Do something Boss, do something. We’ll find ourselves another schmuck. You’re a bummer man.', then the trigger 'You were funny without us man.' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is superiority.

He’s putting money on y’all fools! I hope you got bank accounts, ’cause he’s spreading out large amounts. They call him Randy! Straight randy, y’all!

Aziz AnsariINTIMATE MOMENTS FOR A SENSUAL EVENING(2010)
superioritystoryclean25 wordssource ↗
Why it works (Comedy Stack analysis)

The setup points the reader toward 'He’s putting money on y’all fools! I hope you got bank accounts, ’cause he’s spreading out large amounts. They call h...', then the trigger 'Straight randy, y’all!' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is superiority.

I know you’re not stupid. I’m telling jokes. I’ve had plastic surgery. I could care less who knows. How old do you think I am?

Daniel ToshCOMPLETELY SERIOUS(2007)
superioritystorymild25 wordssource ↗
Why it works (Comedy Stack analysis)

The setup points the reader toward 'I know you’re not stupid. I’m telling jokes. I’ve had plastic surgery. I could care less who knows.', then the trigger 'How old do you think I am?' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is superiority.

What am I? I’m f*ckin’ suicidal? I’m not an idiot. I don’t comment on a woman’s weight. I’m post feminism. I’m a reconstructed man.

Craig FergusonDoes This Need To Be Said?(2011)
superioritystorymild24 wordssource ↗
Why it works (Comedy Stack analysis)

The setup points the reader toward 'What am I? I’m f*ckin’ suicidal? I’m not an idiot. I don’t comment on a woman’s weight. I’m post feminism.', then the trigger 'I’m a reconstructed man.' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is superiority.

Why do fools fall in love? Why do they fall in love? Mama, I got a joke. Little Eddie got a joke to tell.

Eddie MurphyRaw(1987)
superioritystoryclean24 wordssource ↗
Why it works (Comedy Stack analysis)

The setup points the reader toward 'Why do fools fall in love? Why do they fall in love? Mama, I got a joke.', then the trigger 'Little Eddie got a joke to tell.' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is superiority.

Kevin Hart: That’s stupid for you to get Spank. Harry Ratchford: Yo! Listen, jackass over here mad, ’cause he can’t compare to Eddie Murphy.

Kevin HartLet Me Explain(2013)
superioritydialoguemild24 wordssource ↗
Why it works (Comedy Stack analysis)

The setup points the reader toward 'Kevin Hart: That’s stupid for you to get Spank. Harry Ratchford: Yo!', then the trigger 'Listen, jackass over here mad, ’cause he can’t compare to Eddie Murphy.' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is superiority.

Has anyone got parents? You had to think about that You are an idiot. Only point about parents is all parents have got a favourite.

Jimmy CarrBEING FUNNY(2011)
superioritystorymild25 wordssource ↗
Why it works (Comedy Stack analysis)

The setup points the reader toward 'Has anyone got parents? You had to think about that You are an idiot.', then the trigger 'Only point about parents is all parents have got a favourite.' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is superiority.

Very respectful, you’d just watch each other move. You’d be like, “Yeah. ” You had that stupid dance face. You’d lean in, “You look fantastic.

Sebastian ManiscalcoWhat’s Wrong with People?(2012)
superioritystorymild25 wordssource ↗
Why it works (Comedy Stack analysis)

The setup points the reader toward 'Very respectful, you’d just watch each other move. You’d be like, “Yeah. ” You had that stupid dance face.', then the trigger 'You’d lean in, “You look fantastic.' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is superiority.

Related mechanisms

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