History of the Pun
Puns are one of the oldest forms of wordplay in human language. Far from being the "lowest form of wit" (a misquote often attributed to Samuel Johnson, who actually loved puns), puns have been considered sophisticated humor throughout most of history.
Ancient Puns
The ancient Egyptians used puns in religious texts — the Book of the Dead contains wordplay that scholars believe served ritual purposes. The Bible, particularly the Old Testament in Hebrew, is full of puns that are invisible in translation. Ancient Greek playwrights like Aristophanes used puns extensively in their comedies. In ancient China, puns were embedded in art and culture, with visual puns appearing on pottery and in paintings.
Shakespeare and the Elizabethan Pun
Shakespeare used over 3,000 puns in his works. In Elizabethan England, punning was considered a sign of wit and intelligence. The pun was a respected literary device, used seriously in poetry and playfully in comedy. Shakespeare used puns in both comic scenes and tragic ones — Romeo and Juliet opens with a pun-laden exchange between servants.
The Fall from Grace
The pun's reputation declined in the 18th and 19th centuries, as literary critics began to view wordplay as a lesser form of humor compared to satire and wit. The famous (misattributed) claim that puns are the "lowest form of wit" dates from this period. Interestingly, the cognitive science of puns shows they require considerable linguistic ability, which undermines this dismissal.
The Modern Pun
Today, puns thrive in dad jokes, newspaper headlines, advertising, and internet humor. The pun has been fully rehabilitated as a comedy form — embraced precisely because of its corniness. The groan has become the point. See our guide on how to write a pun for crafting your own.