Who Invented Yo Mama Jokes? (Invention Timeline Explained)

Isn’t it funny how everyone knows how to joke around intrinsically? Deep down, we all have a sense of humor somewhere, and we have a tendency to let it show during our silliest moments. When you think about concepts that had to have been invented at some point, a sense of humor is something of a gray line. It’s not really easy to pinpoint where all of that started, so the sense of humor might be a concept that we’ll need more time to flesh out.

However, just because it’s not easy to pinpoint the sense of humor doesn’t mean that we can still have fun with all of this! For example, how about taking a look into the origin of one of the most popular lines of jokes — specifically, the Yo Mama variety. Yo Mama’s so curious, she’s bound to be interested in this deep dive into the invention of Yo Mama jokes!

It might be a little unorthodox since it might not seem like much of an invention for many, but it’s about as solid an invention as anything else to come from mankind! It just so happens that Yo Mama jokes land on the more lighthearted side of history.

Who invented Yo Mama jokes?

If we’re talking about the origin of jokes that had to do with one’s mother — probably inappropriate jokes — we’d be looking far back during the time of the ancient Babylonians. It’s not a perfect translation, but it goes something along the lines of a riddle concerning who might have slept with Yo Mama. 

Yo Mama jokes’ key contributors (and evolution)

  • The Babylonians
    Seemingly the originators of the Yo Mama jokes

    If we’re talking about the origin of jokes that had to do with one’s mother — probably inappropriate jokes — we’d be looking far back during the time of the ancient Babylonians. It’s not a perfect translation, but it goes something along the lines of a riddle concerning who might have slept with Yo Mama. 

  • Shakespeare
    Titus Andronicus

    Why yes, Shakespeare does have something to do with Yo Mama jokes. It seems like those in abundance of sarcasm and wit are much more likely to put Yo Mama into precarious scenarios. Specifically, the joke was found in the script of Titus Andronicus, concerning a little bit of wordplay regarding Chiron’s mama.

  • Monty Python and the Holy Grail
    One of the first films to include jokes concerning one’s mother

    Leave it to one of the all-time cinematic greats to get the ball rolling with Yo Mama jokes. While not technically a Yo Mama joke, it’s certainly a joke concerning one’s mother, which is the line: your mother was a hamster, and your father smelt of elderberries!

  • In Living Color
    The first TV show to come up with the true Yo Mama joke

    Of the many different sources to joke around about mothers, In Living Color is the very first comedy TV show to actually have jokes that have to do with Yo Mama. Specifically, it was shown in the episode featuring a game called The Dirty Dozens. The rest is history!

When were Yo Mama jokes invented?

As far as jokes concerning one’s mother, the earliest record can be found around 3500 BC, during the time of the Babylonians. 

A brief history of Yo Mama jokes

If we’re talking about the origin of jokes that had to do with one’s mother — probably inappropriate jokes — we’d be looking far back during the time of the ancient Babylonians. It’s not a perfect translation, but it goes something along the lines of a riddle concerning who might have slept with Yo Mama. Next on the list is Shakespeare — why yes, Shakespeare does have something to do with Yo Mama jokes. It seems like those in abundance of sarcasm and wit are much more likely to put Yo Mama into precarious scenarios. Specifically, the joke was found in the script of Titus Andronicus, concerning a little bit of wordplay regarding Chiron’s mama.

Fast-forward in time to the (almost) modern era, and you have the 1975 film Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Leave it to one of the all-time cinematic greats to get the ball rolling with Yo Mama jokes. While not technically a Yo Mama joke, it’s certainly a joke concerning one’s mother, which is the line: your mother was a hamster, and your father smelt of elderberries! That said, of the many different sources to joke around about mothers, In Living Color is the very first comedy TV show to actually have jokes that have to do with Yo Mama. Specifically, it was shown in the episode featuring a game called The Dirty Dozens.

Isn’t it funny how the Yo Mama joke — which is a staple joke in pop culture — got its start as early as 3500 BC? It’s pretty ridiculous, and the fact that it evolved all the way to the Yo Mama joke really is an odd history. In any case, that’s what you get when you start deep diving into the stranger concepts of mankind such as their sense of humor.

The Yo Mama jokes timeline

  1. 3500 BC
    The Babylonians are the originators of jokes involving one’s mother, at least as far as the earliest records go.

    If we’re talking about the origin of jokes that had to do with one’s mother — probably inappropriate jokes — we’d be looking far back during the time of the ancient Babylonians. It’s not a perfect translation, but it goes something along the lines of a riddle concerning who might have slept with Yo Mama. 

  2. 1500s
    The time of Shakespeare and the continued evolution of the Yo Mama joke

    Why yes, Shakespeare does have something to do with Yo Mama jokes. It seems like those in abundance of sarcasm and wit are much more likely to put Yo Mama into precarious scenarios. Specifically, the joke was found in the script of Titus Andronicus, concerning a little bit of wordplay regarding Chiron’s mama.

  3. 1975
    Monty Python and the Holy Grail

    Fast-forward in time to the (almost) modern era, and you have the 1975 film Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Leave it to one of the all time cinematic greats to get the ball rolling with Yo Mama jokes. While not technically a Yo Mama joke, it’s certainly a joke concerning one’s mother, which is the line: your mother was a hamster, and your father smelt of elderberries!

  4. 1990s
    The introduction of In Living Color

    Of the many different sources to joke around about mothers, In Living Color is the very first comedy TV show to actually have jokes that have to do with Yo Mama. Specifically, it was shown in the episode featuring a game called The Dirty Dozens. The rest is history!

Where were Yo Mama jokes invented?

Yo Mama jokes were technically invented in the 1990s, though the earliest rendition of jokes involving one’s mother goes back to ancient Babylon.

Why everyone loves Yo Mama jokes

  • Undoubtedly easy jokes to get into

    When it comes to jokes, the Yo Mama variety has to be one of the staple foundations of cool (and lame) jokes. It’s one of the easiest jokes to get into.

  • A pop culture icon

    Let’s face it, Yo Mama jokes have transformed into a pop culture icon — to the point there are so many TV shows and games that make liberal use of Yo Mama jokes.

  • So incredibly versatile

    If you’re looking for the most versatile jokes on the market, you can’t go wrong with Yo Mama jokes. You can pretty much think of any subject you want, add a Yo Mama touch to it, and transform it into a pretty decent joke. 

  • The lamer the better

    Yo Mama jokes do their best work when executed in a lame and cheesy style. While some of the younger folk might cringe, they’ll often do so with a smile.

Yo Mama jokes by the numbers

  • 3500While it’s already been mentioned, we couldn’t help but add it here due to how crazy it is. The oldest Yo Mama joke is thousands upon thousands of years old! It’s from 3500 BC to be exact.
  • 19931993 was the very first mention of a Yo Mama joke courtesy of In Living Color, a TV show focused on comedy.
  • 1If we’re being completely honest, even people who believe they don’t have a sense of humor have at least one funny Yo Mama joke in them. That’s just how it is!
  • 12,756Why such a strange number? That’s the size of the equator in kilometers. Yo Mama’s so fat, that’s her belt size right there.

Five facts about Yo Mama jokes

  • Turning an offensive remark into something universally funny

    There’s no denying that joking and disrespecting someone’s mother is bound to cause all sorts of trouble, but that isn’t the case with Yo Mama jokes. It’s become so fully integrated that so long as you say something in the Yo Mama format, even the most inappropriate joke will be tolerable.

  • The secret to thinking up of a Yo Mama joke

    If you want to learn how to create your own spin concerning the legendary joke, it’s all about looking into the most outlandish, contradictory thing and having Yo Mama do it. For example, Yo Mama’s so dumb, she got run over by a parked car. These extremely unlikely scenarios are the best bit of making Yo Mama jokes!

  • The booming 90s

    While maternal jokes have been a part of society for a very long time, it only really came into the mainstream during the 90s. The reason why is that the joke was introduced by In Living Color in 1993.

  • A treasure trove of jokes

    Do you think the Yo Mama well has run dry considering so many people have tried their hand at creating Yo Mama jokes? Honestly, the well’s never going to run dry. There are always going to be new situations where Yo Mama jokes will strike again. They’re like Florida Man in that respect. We should probably make something about Florida Man at some point! 

  • Popularity that doesn’t fade

    These days, many people see Yo Mama jokes as somewhat cringy, but that’s the point of that kind of humor. If it isn’t corny or cheesy, you’re doing it wrong!

FAQ about Yo Mama jokes

  • What’s your funniest Yo Mama joke?

    It’s a toss up between two jokes in particular. One is: Yo Mama’s so stupid, she stole free bread. Simple, but effective! The next one is: Yo Mama’s so fat, her blood type is gravy!

  • Any tips about how I can make Yo Mama jokes?

    Just think of something ridiculous and outlandish, and put it in the same sentence as a Yo Mama joke. The rest end up fixing themselves as it goes!

  • What is the very first Yo Mama joke?

    While we already talked about it, the oldest Yo Mama joke is thousands of years old, and was something of a riddle. The riddle pretty much asks a very inappropriate question about Yo Mama. Seems like people were just as childish then as they are now, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

  • Where’s the best place to find Yo Mama jokes?

    Honestly, it depends on your preferences and what you find funny. All you have to do is look around and find the jokes that tickle your funny bone the most!

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