Definition

Noun: A mischievous trick or prank played on a person, typically involving physical action or staged scenarios, with the primary intention of amusing the perpetrators and onlookers by causing the victim to appear foolish, confused, or surprised. It is characterized by its hands-on, often elaborate nature, as opposed to a verbal joke.

Usage

The term "practical joke" is used to describe a planned act of trickery meant to elicit laughter at the expense of the target. It implies a setup and a payoff where the victim becomes aware of the deception. Using it often carries a connotation of lighthearted, though sometimes embarrassing, humor.

Examples

• The employees filled their manager's office with balloons as a practical joke.
• Putting a fake spider on someone's chair is a classic practical joke.
• He was the victim of a practical joke when his friends pretended his car had been stolen.

Advanced Usage

• "To play a practical joke on someone": This is the standard construction for describing the action.
  • The seniors love to play practical jokes on the freshmen during initiation week.
• "The butt of a practical joke": A phrase describing the person who is the target.
  • He didn't mind being the butt of a practical joke as long as it was harmless.

Variants and Related Words

• Prank (n): A synonym that is very close in meaning, though sometimes considered slightly less elaborate or physical than a "practical joke."
• Gag (n): Can be synonymous with a practical joke, but often refers to a simpler, quicker trick or a comedic bit.
• Hoax (n): A deceptive act designed to trick people into believing something false, often on a larger scale and with less emphasis on humor and more on deception.
• Jape (n): A more old-fashioned or literary term for a joke or trick.

Synonyms

• Prank
• Trick
• Gag
• Jape
• Caper

Related Phrases

• Prank call: A deceptive telephone call made as a joke.
  • Making prank calls is a common but often discouraged practical joke.
• Pie in the face: A classic slapstick practical joke.
  • The clown's routine always ended with the practical joke of a pie in the face.

Idioms

• "Pull a prank" / "Pull a practical joke": To execute a trick.
  • They decided to pull a practical joke on their sleeping friend.
• "Get punk'd" (slang, from the TV show ): To be the victim of an elaborate, filmed practical joke.
  • When all his friends jumped out, he realized he'd been punk'd.

Noun

1. a prank or trick played on a person (especially one intended to make the victim appear foolish)