PDF download Download Article PDF download Download Article

“Did you ever hear back from Joe?” “Who’s Joe?” “Joe Mama!” This classic joke is a staple and if you’ve been burned by this one before, it’s reasonable that you’re looking for some clever comebacks. It’s easy enough to find a solid response, and we’ve got you covered with some sassy, slick retorts. Read on to find the perfect responds to a “Joe Mama” bit the next time a friend tries to pull one over on you.

1

“Yeah, at least my mom isn’t so poor she can’t pay attention.”

PDF download Download Article
  1. Fight fire with fire by outdoing their lame mom joke with something that has some bite. This is a great way to outdo your friend if they caught you slipping with the “Joe Mama” line. You could also reply:
    • “Yeah, well your mom’s so poor the ducks throw bread at her.”
    • “C’mon, now. Your mom jokes are old…almost as old as your mom.”
    • “Hey, let’s keep moms out of this. Especially since nobody wants to hang out around yours.”
  2. Advertisement
2

“Yo mama’s so fat her shadow has stretch marks.”

PDF download Download Article
3

“Don’t talk about my mom when I’m so sweet to yours.”

PDF download Download Article
  1. This is a great option if you want to seem totally unphased by their joke and you want to mess with them a bit. Crack a joke about having a really intimate relationship with their mom and watch their face turn red. You could also try:
    • “Okay, you got me. At least your mom’s got me after school.”
    • “Nice one. Almost as nice as the dinner your mom made me last night.”
    • “You don’t want to talk about moms. Especially when I know yours so well.”
  2. Advertisement
5

“I don’t know a Joe Mama, do you mean Jack Mama?”

PDF download Download Article
  1. This is sure to throw your friend for a loop. Act like they’re making a serious inquiry and you happen to know somebody with a name similar to “Joe Mama.” Go along with the gag as long as you can. You might say:
    • “Are you referring to Johnny Mama, because I don’t know them. I am a fan of their music, though.”
    • “Wait, seriously? You know Joseph Mama, too?!”
    • “I don’t know why you’re poking fun at Joseph Mama. He’s a well-respected member of the community.”
  2. Advertisement
6

“Who’s Joe Mama?”

PDF download Download Article
  1. Act like you don’t get the joke and watch your friend fumble over their words trying to explain it. This is a good gag, but it’s also a great option if you’re kind of annoyed with your friend’s childish joke and you want to push them to try explaining why this is funny in the first place.[3] You could also say:
    • “I don’t get what that means. What is a Joe Mama?”
    • “Huh? Come again now?”
    • “Can you explain why this is funny…I don’t get what you’re getting at.”
8

“How dare you, my mother is a saint!”

PDF download Download Article
  1. Joe Mama jokes aren’t typically mean-spirited, so it can be really hilarious to pretend like you’ve been seriously insulted. You can even throw your arms in the air, huff and guffaw, and put on an act like you’re defending your mother’s honor for added effect. You might also say:
    • “You dare besmirch my mother’s name?”
    • “I will not stand for this insult. My mother is a goddess!”
    • “I cannot understand why you’d insult my mother! This is a digression I will not allow, good sir!”
9

“Okay, you got me…”

PDF download Download Article
  1. If you don’t have a good, quick retort to throw out there, just laugh it off and respect the fact that your friend got one over on you. Joe Mama jokes are typically all in good fun, so don’t worry about trying to fight over this one or make it more than it is. You could also laugh it off and say:
    • “Nice one. Alright, I walked into that haha.”
    • “Oh man, I walked right into that one…”
    • “Holy smokes, I can’t believe I missed that. Nice move.”
  2. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    Who is Joe Mama actually?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    There's no such person. "Joe Mama" is a play on the words "Your mama."
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
Advertisement

Tips

Submit a Tip
All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
Name
Please provide your name and last initial
Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

You Might Also Like

Start a Text Conversation with a GirlStart a Text Conversation with a Girl
Compliment a Girl's PictureCompliment a Girl's Picture
Respond to Whats Up Respond to "What's Up?"
Conversation Starters for Crush150+ Things to Talk About With Your Crush: Deep, Flirty, & Funny Topics
Start a Conversation with a Girl on Instagram Start a Conversation with a Girl on Instagram: 10+ Tips to Get Her Chatting
Ask for a Sick Day over TextAsk for a Sick Day over Text
Start a Conversation on HingeStart a Conversation on Hinge
What to Say to Someone Before Surgery15+ Things to Say to Someone Before Surgery
20th Birthday Caption200+ Funny & Attention-Getting 20th Birthday Captions for Instagram
How Are You DoingWhat’s the Difference Between “How Are You Doing?” and “How are You?”
Funny Questions to Ask a Guy151 Funny Questions to Ask a Guy Over Text & In Person
Get Someone Annoying to Stop TalkingGet Someone Annoying to Stop Talking
Diss Someone Diss Someone: 20+ Funniest, Best Disses
How Was Your NightThe Real Meaning of "How Was Your Night?" (Plus the Best Answers to Give)
Advertisement

About This Article

Maureen Taylor
Co-authored by:
Communications Coach
This article was co-authored by Maureen Taylor and by wikiHow staff writer, Eric McClure. Maureen Taylor is the CEO and Founder of SNP Communications, a leadership communications company based in the San Francisco Bay Area. She has been helping leaders, founders, and innovators in all sectors hone their messaging and delivery for almost 30 years, and has worked with leaders and teams at Google, Facebook, Airbnb, SAP, Salesforce, and Spotify. This article has been viewed 78,800 times.
100 votes - 65%
Co-authors: 12
Updated: June 1, 2024
Views: 78,800
Categories: Conversation Skills
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 78,800 times.

Reader Success Stories

  • Jax R.

    Jax R.

    Oct 25, 2023

    "Thank you so much for the stuff. I love it so much I want more."
Share your story

Did this article help you?

Advertisement