How to do reference jokes right?
There is a problem with reference jokes in general, and I just couldn't figure out a solution to them. Here's a demonstration:
"Watch your step, there could be even more of these."
"More?" ████ was still puzzled. "We haven't encountered any actual defense ever since we entered. No patrols, nor gun turrets, just lava pits.
"Are you even surprised, anon?" ████ casually scoffed. "I thought that you'd notice this pattern and style, that this whole place was likely built by Kevin."
"What Kevin?"████ asked.
"This place is the result of asking a torturer to make a fortress for you." said ████. "Go figure."
But what if the reader was lucky enough to miss Home Alone? Then the reference wouldn't convey.
So, what can I do to minimalize the loss of humorousness of a joke, in case if the reader is not familiar with the source material?
This post was sourced from https://writers.stackexchange.com/q/30845. It is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
0 answers
0 comment threads