Bekah writes: Whenever I tell my husband, “I love you, too!” he responds, “You mean the famous Irish rock band?” My exasperation seems to bring him joy. It was funny for the first five years, but we’re 16 years in, and the joke has run its course. Please order him to stop.
I used to try to trap our son with the old “Guess what? — What? — That’s what!” game. I don’t even understand that joke. Your husband’s wordplay may be tired and loathsome, but at least it makes sense. Still, I followed some deep, genetic and bad impulse to annoy my family for my own amusement, and did so all the time until our son found a solution: When I asked “Guess what?” he would simply stare at me in silence until I died inside. Good news: You can break your own husband’s heart and bad habit the same way! The next time he says, “I love you,” say nothing. Or if you really want to twist the knife, quote U2 and explain: “Thanks! As for me, I still haven’t found what I’m looking for.”
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