6

You've probably come across such a person who tries to be funny but he can't be because he's not but he thinks he is. Their jokes are old or simply what they say is not funny, you get the idea. Not that they're weird or bad; actually they turn out to be real sweethearts sometimes but they're just not funny. What do you call such a person?

Your grandpa is nice but let's face it: he's [the word]

Oh man I don't know why he tries so hard to be funny! Why nobody tells him that he's just [the word]. That's pathetic!

An adjective, a noun, or a noun phrase will do.

Edit: In my native language we have an adjective to describe such a person which literally means insipid that is used for food, too. Like insipid food which tastes bland, the person who's *insipid has not much sense of humor as if being funny was like spice making the person *tasteful. I thought there might be an equivalent in English but I gave up searching after a while and I posted the question.

Thanks

Improve this question
3
  • 5
    This isn't a word to describe the person, but you could convey a similar thought with: Your grandpa is nice but his jokes fall flat.
    – J.R. ♦
    Commented May 16, 2017 at 21:46
  • 2
    "That's my grandpa. He thinks he is funny."
    – Adam
    Commented Feb 9, 2018 at 16:33
  • 1
    What is your native language and what is the word? I found this because my girlfriend asked about a similar Vietnamese word: vô duyên
    – Nicholas Franceschina
    Commented Jan 27, 2020 at 9:39

3 Answers 3

Reset to default
3

I would say (just) not funny.

Your grandpa is nice but let's face it: he's just not funny.

You could also consider no comedian or no one's comedian.

Your grandpa is nice but let's face it: he's no comedian/no one's comedian.

Either suggests that he is not funny by any stretch or anyone's standards.

Improve this answer
2
  • 1
    Thanks Max. In my native language we have an adjective to describe such a person which literally means insipid which is used for food, too. Like insipid food which tastes bland, the person who's *insipid has not much sense of humor as if being funny was like spice making the person *tasteful. I thought there might be an equivalent in English but I gave up searching after a while and I posted the question.
    – Yuri
    Commented May 16, 2017 at 22:49
  • 2
    That's very interesting. Consider including this context in your post. I couldn't think of anything similar, but let's see what comes up.
    – Em.
    Commented May 16, 2017 at 23:33
1

You can use dork or jerk or silly

I don't wanna seem like a dork

Improve this answer
1
  • Interesting that there are many words (slangs) to call someone rudely, like yours and others like dumbbell, dolt, nerd, airhead, dick, blockhead, oh, I was called douch by an American girl once before. haha.
    – user17814
    Commented Mar 31, 2018 at 23:41
1

You could refer to them as a witling. It refers to someone who thinks they're witty (or funny) but they're not.

Improve this answer

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .