The knock knock jokes are one of the most instantly recognizable joke formats in the English language, and its fiveline, callandresponse structure is so familiar that almost anyone can jump in and finish one. What’s far less known is that this exact structure has documented roots stretching back to Shakespeare, and the format as we know it today actually became a nationwide fad in the United States in a single specific year. In this guide, we’ve gathered 50+ knockknock jokes, organized by audience and theme, along with the real, well documented history behind how this joke format actually came to be.

The True History of the KnockKnock Joke

Before getting into the jokes themselves, it’s worth knowing that this specific format has a genuinely documented history, tracing back centuries further than most people would ever guess.

A Surprising Connection to Shakespeare

According to Wikipedia, dialogue resembling a knock knock jokes appear in Ben Jonson’s play The Case Is Altered, written around 1597, and the phrase knock, knock, who’s there is often specifically attributed to William Shakespeare’s 1606 play Macbeth, where a porter character delivers a knock, knock line while imagining himself letting people into hell.

• Dialogue resembling the format appears in an English play from around 1597
• Written by playwright Ben Jonson in The Case Is Altered
• The phrase knock, knock, who’s there is often tied to Shakespeare
• Appears in Shakespeare’s 1606 play Macbeth, Act 2, Scene 3
• Delivered by a porter character imagining people knocking at hell’s gate
• These early examples predate the modern joke format by centuries
• Confirmed through documented sources cited on Wikipedia
• Shows genuine, centuries fold literary roots behind a familiar joke format

How It Became a National Fad in 1936

According to Wikipedia and NPR’s documented history, true knock knock jokes in their modern form emerged in the United States by the 1930s, with knockknock clubs forming in the Midwest and the format exploding into a fullblown national fad by 1936, complete with a novelty song and newspaper coverage comparing it to other pop culture crazes of the time.

• Modern knock knock jokes emerged in the US by the 1930s
• Knockknock clubs specifically formed in the Midwestern United States
• Swing performer Vincent Lopez wrote a novelty KnockKnock Song
• Became a nationwide fad by 1936, per contemporary newspaper coverage
• A 1936 Associated Press article compared its rise to other pop culture crazes
• A radio station in Pennsylvania popularized jokes about a real VP candidate
• The trend spread to the UK, where it was used in radio and even royal jokes
• Later saw a renaissance through the show Rowan & Martin’s LaughIn

How a KnockKnock Joke Is Actually Structured

Beyond the history, it’s worth understanding the specific fiveline format that makes this joke type work so consistently.

The FiveLine Formula

According to Wikipedia’s documented breakdown, a standard knock knock joke always follows five specific lines: the opening knockknock, the scripted who’s there reply, a setup word or phrase, a response repeating that phrase followed by who, and finally a punchline that uses wordplay based on the earlier phrase.

• Line one is always the opening knockknock itself
• Line two is the listener’s scripted reply, who’s there?
• Line three introduces a setup word or short phrase
• Line four repeats that phrase back, followed by the word who
• Line five delivers the punchline using wordplay from that phrase
• The format relies on both people cooperating to build the joke
• Works because listeners already know the expected structure
• This consistent formula is part of why the format has endured so long

Classic Knock Knock Jokes

Classic Knock knock jokes are the tried and true favorites that work across nearly any audience.

Timeless Classics

• Knock knock. Who’s there? Lettuce. Lettuce who? Lettuce in, it’s cold out here!
• Knock knock. Who’s there? Tank. Thank you. You’re welcome!
• Knock knock. Who’s there? Boo. Boo who? Aw, don’t cry, it’s just a joke!
• Knock knock. Who’s there? Ken. Ken who? Can I come in already?
• Knock knock. Who’s there? Interrupting cow. Interrupting cow who MOO!
• Knock knock. Who’s there? Olive. Olive who? Love you and I miss you!

KnockKnock Jokes for Kids

Knock knock jokes for kids are simple, silly setups that lean on easy wordplay younger kids can catch quickly.

FamilyFriendly Favorites

• Knock knock. Who’s there? Nobel. Nobel who? Nobel, that’s why I knocked!
• Knock knock. Who’s there? Broken pencil. Broken pencil who? Never mind, it’s pointless.
• Knock knock. Who’s there? Honey bee. Honey bee who? Honey, be a dear and open the door!
• Knock knock. Who’s there? Wooden shoes. Wooden shoe who? Wooden shoes like to hear another joke?
• Knock knock. Who’s there? Water. Water who? Water you are waiting for, open up!

Owl, Orange, Banana & Dog KnockKnock Jokes

A few themed picks built around some of the most commonly searched knockknock setups.

Themed Favorites

• Knock knock. Who’s there? Owl. Owl who? Owl always love a good joke!
• Knock knock. Who’s there? Orange. Orange who? Orange you glad this joke’s almost over?
• Knock knock. Who’s there? Banana. Banana who? Banana nother knockknock joke, ready?
• Knock knock. Who’s there? Dog. Dog who? Doggone it, just let me in already!

KnockKnock Jokes for a Crush

A few playful, low pressure options for flirting without going overboard.

Cute & Playful Lines

• Knock knock. Who’s there? Amos. Amos who? A mosquito, but I’d rather be biting you with a compliment.
• Knock knock. Who’s there? Anee. Anee who? Anee chance you’d want to hang out sometime?
• Knock knock. Who’s there? Justin. Justin who? Just in case you didn’t know, I think you’re great.

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Conclusion

Knockknock jokes might feel like a simple, silly format, but their documented history stretches back to Shakespeare’s era and includes a genuine 1936 national fad complete with dedicated clubs and a novelty hit song. With 50+ jokes above, from timeless classics and kid friendly picks to owl, banana, and dog themed setups, plus a few playful lines for a crush, this collection should have you covered whether you’re telling one for the first time or the hundredth. Knockknock, who’s there? A whole lot of history, apparently.