The joke “Did you hear the sad news about 12″ rulers? They’re not making them any longer.” plays on the double meaning of the word “longer.” In one sense, “longer” can refer to the length of an object, and in another, it can mean a continuation of an action or process. The setup leads the listener to believe there’s some unfortunate news about the production of 12-inch rulers. The punchline humorously reveals that the “sad news” is a play on words, suggesting that the rulers aren’t being made to be more extended in length, rather than not being produced anymore.

The joke “Why did the slot machine bring a ladder to the casino? It heard the stakes were getting higher!” is a play on words that employs a double entendre. The term “stakes” in a gambling context refers to the amount of money wagered or the level of risk involved. When stakes are “getting higher,” it means the bets or risks are increasing. On the other hand, the word “higher” can also be taken literally, as in a physical elevation.

The joke “How does a penguin build its house? Igloos it together” is a play on words that combines the habitat of penguins with a common phrase. Penguins are often associated with cold climates and are known to inhabit areas where igloos, a type of snow house, might be built. The punchline “Igloos it together” is a pun on the phrase “glues it together,” which refers to assembling something by sticking its parts together. The humor arises from the clever substitution of “igloos” for “glues,” suggesting that penguins construct their homes by “iglooing” them.

The joke “Why did the tomato blush? Because it saw the salad dressing” is a play on words that hinges on the double meaning of the term “dressing.” In one sense, “dressing” refers to the sauce or mixture (like vinaigrette or ranch) that is added to salads. In another sense, “dressing” can mean the act of putting on clothes. The humor emerges from the anthropomorphism of the tomato, attributing human emotions to it, such as the ability to blush. The punchline humorously suggests that the tomato is embarrassed because it “saw” the salad “getting dressed,” akin to accidentally walking in on someone changing clothes.

The joke “What do you call a running turkey? Fast food!” plays on the dual meaning of the term “fast food.” Typically, “fast food” refers to quick-service restaurants that serve meals in a short amount of time. However, in the context of the joke, “fast” is used to describe the speed of the turkey, implying that it’s running quickly. The humor arises from the juxtaposition of a turkey, which is often associated with festive meals, being labeled as “fast food” due to its speed.