Caption Clinic: Fixing Almost-Funny Captions
Not every caption can be a winner, but sometimes, with a little tweaking, an almost-funny caption can become a knockout. Here’s a look at a few captions that were this close and how they could have been improved.
Caption 1: “He’s living the polished life, but she’s got the tarnished humor.”
What’s Wrong?
- The wordplay is there, but “tarnished humor” is a bit vague and lacks a punchy rhythm.
- The contrast between “polished” and “tarnished” is great, but the joke could be sharper.
The Fix: “One of them is polished, the other is pure tarnish.”
- Keeps the contrast but makes it snappier.
- “Pure tarnish” is more direct and has a comedic punch.
Caption 2: “When you skip leg day, but your buddy skips pants day.”
What’s Wrong?
- A strong premise, but “pants day” isn’t a common phrase, making it feel a little forced.
- The rhythm could be improved for better comedic timing.
The Fix: “One skipped leg day, the other skipped pants.”
- More concise and natural-sounding.
- Punchline lands harder with the streamlined structure.
Caption 3: “Even antiquities porn knew not to show the guy’s face.”
What’s Wrong?
- The reference to “antiquities porn” is funny, but the joke feels a bit clunky.
- “The guy’s face” could be phrased in a way that’s more direct and visual.
The Fix: “Even ancient erotica knew to crop out the guy’s face.”
- Keeps the joke but makes it more direct and visual.
- “Crop out” aligns with modern imagery, making it funnier.
Caption 4: “I don’t know, man, I think just trust the proctologist.”
What’s Wrong?
- “I don’t know, man” is extra padding that doesn’t add much.
- Could be more direct for a stronger punchline.
The Fix: “Just trust the proctologist.”
- Shorter and sharper.
- Sometimes, simplicity is key for humor.
Takeaway Tips
- Cut extra words. A shorter caption usually hits harder.
- Sharpen the contrast. If your joke is based on contrast, make sure both sides are clear and strong.
- Make it visual. The best captions create a picture in the reader’s mind.
- Test the rhythm. A good joke flows naturally—read it aloud to see if it lands.
Got a caption that almost worked? Try refining it and see how much stronger it gets! Keep polishing, and you just might create a winner next time.
