1st April 2025 — The International Bureau of Speechwriting (IBS) has issued an urgent warning to all public speakers: the use of humour in speeches may be more hazardous than previously thought. The IBS asserts that it can be difficult to digest.
According to the IBS, humour—once considered a charming addition to public speaking—has now been classified as a “high-risk rhetorical device.” Experts say that while a joke might sound harmless, it could cause unpredictable side effects, such as audience confusion, cringe, and, in some extreme cases, a complete loss of engagement with the speaker.
“We used to think humour was the secret sauce,” said Dr. Phil Gagreflex, Head of Speech Safety at IBS. “But now we know it’s more like the mysterious sauce your uncle makes for family BBQs. It can be delightful… but it can also leave you with an upset stomach and a feeling of ‘jamais encore’” as Churchill famously quipped. In collaboration with Templar Advisors, the organization has provided a list of must-follow precautions for any speechwriter daring to incorporate humour:
- Know Your Audience, Or Risk Awkward Silence
Humour, like a poorly chosen gift, can either hit the mark or be met with ‘tumbleweeds’. “It’s crucial to know who you’re talking to,” Dr. Gagreflex continued. “A joke about ‘the woes of office technology’ might be funny to millennials, but it could completely alienate a room full of boomers who relied on 10 year-old children to set their VHS video as recently as the 1980s. And that silence you hear? That sound of crickets is your career evaporating.” Crickets are really not good, other than as a modern source of protein!
2. Timing is Everything… Except When It’s Not
“The first rule of humour is timing,” said Gagreflex, “and the second rule is never forcing it. If you feel the need to make a joke at the beginning of your speech, pause. Wait for the audience to settle. Then—don’t do it. Just don’t. People will remember the punchline, not your message.” A subtle smirk followed. “You can’t undo a bad joke… But, you can always try to undo the damage with a hard-hitting message about your new boss’s ill thought-through new strategic plan! “
3. Self-Deprecation: The Lifesaver (or the Lifeguard Who Can’t Swim)
Dr. Gagreflex also offered a tip for anyone thinking of using self-deprecating humour to win over the crowd: “It’s the safest form of humour, like wearing a helmet in a bumper car. It makes you appear humble, relatable, and even charming—until you accidentally make yourself the punchline of a joke that’s more tragic than funny. There’s a fine line between ‘quirky’ and ‘pathological,’ and you don’t want to cross it. For example, “I’m terrible at tech,” could get a laugh. “I’m terrible at life”— not so much.” You might be… Just make sure you’re not emptying your purse on the kitchen table at the new neighbour’s coffee morning.
4. Avoid Off-Topic Tangents (Even if They Are Hilarious)
“Keep your jokes related to the topic at hand,” said Gagreflex, shaking his head. “Imagine trying to discuss the future of artificial intelligence, only to segue into a hilarious anecdote about your cat, Mr. Fluffy, and his late-night escapades with your neighbour’s garden gnome. Mr. Fluffy’s a distraction, they’re here for the AI. Save the cat stories for a different venue, like therapy, or worse, your family What’sApp group.”
5. Jokes Do Not Fix Bad Content
It’s a classic mistake: thinking humour will compensate for weak ideas. The IBS has just released a study showing that while humour can mask a bad speech for a few minutes, it does not save a speech built on weak facts, lack of research, or incoherent rambling. “A well-timed joke might get a laugh in the moment,” says Gagreflex, “but it won’t save you when the Q&A session turns into a bloodbath.”
6. Test Your Jokes Like a Controlled Experiment, Not An Uncontrolled Demolition
“You wouldn’t jump into a pool without checking if it’s shallow first, right?” Gagreflex said. “Same goes for humour in speeches. Try it out on friends, colleagues, or that one person who’s brutally honest – your ‘other half’. If they laugh, you’re good to go. If they don’t… reconsider everything.”
Final Thought: Humour Is a Risk, But So Is Public Speaking
According to experts, humour can be a powerful tool when used properly—but only if you’re prepared for the consequences. It’s a gamble: one moment, you’re the charismatic life of the party, and the next, you’re the awkward person on stage wondering if you can become a professional mime. (You can’t!)
So, as you prepare for your next speech, remember these key takeaways:
- Humour is like fire: it can warm a room or burn it down.
- Timing is critical—too early, and you might look desperate. Too late, and you’ll look like you’re trying to compensate.
- Self-deprecation can be charming, unless it’s the only thing you have.
- Stay on topic (unless you’re telling a really good cat story).
As for the IBS’s final advice? “If you can’t tell a joke, don’t try. Just stick to what you know. And if in doubt—bring a dog onstage. People love dogs.” In the meantime, take this advice with a pinch of salt—or better yet, with a whole salt shaker.
It’s April Fool’s, after all.
Stay safe out there, speechwriters!