Joke vs. Gig — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 7, 2024
A joke is a short narrative or statement designed to provoke laughter, while a gig refers to a job or performance, especially in music or entertainment.
Difference Between Joke and Gig
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A joke is intended to be humorous or amusing, often delivered as a brief story or a punchline. Whereas a gig is a professional engagement or assignment, typically referring to musicians, comedians, or other performers doing a show or a series of shows. This highlights how the core purpose of a joke is to entertain through laughter, while a gig involves performing as part of work.
Jokes are universal in nature, accessible to anyone and typically free, used casually in everyday conversation or in entertainment like stand-up comedy. On the other hand, gigs are specific professional tasks that often require payment to attend, such as a concert or a comedy show, emphasizing their commercial and professional aspects.
The format of a joke usually consists of a setup and a punchline, designed to be quick and elicit an immediate reaction of laughter. In contrast, a gig involves a set duration of performance, which can range from a few minutes to several hours, and may include various acts or sets.
Jokes can be shared and enjoyed by people of all ages and backgrounds, often requiring no special venue, just an audience ready to listen. Whereas gigs usually take place at specific venues, like clubs, theaters, or arenas, tailored for performances, highlighting the structured and organized nature of gigs.
A joke’s success is measured by the laughter it provokes and its ability to entertain briefly. Conversely, a gig’s success might be evaluated based on attendance, audience response over the entire performance, and the performer's ability to engage and entertain for the duration of the event.
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Comparison Chart
Purpose
To entertain and provoke laughter
To perform professionally, often for payment
Format
Short setup and punchline
Scheduled performance, possibly with multiple acts
Venue
Anywhere (no specific venue required)
Specific venues like clubs, theaters, or concert halls
Audience Interaction
Immediate laughter response
Extended engagement, applause, interaction
Measurement of Success
Laughter and brief entertainment value
Audience size, engagement, overall performance success
Compare with Definitions
Joke
A short story or ironic depiction of a situation communicated with the intent of being humorous.
He told a joke that made everyone laugh.
Gig
A booking for a performer.
We have three gigs lined up for next month.
Joke
An instance of jesting.
It’s just a joke between friends.
Gig
A live performance by a musician, comedian, or other entertainer.
She got a gig at the local jazz club.
Joke
Something not to be taken seriously; a triviality.
The car repair was supposed to be quick, but it turned into a joke.
Gig
An engagement to perform.
Their band landed a gig at a big festival.
Joke
Something absurd or ridiculous.
The amount of homework assigned was a joke.
Gig
A role or task, particularly in entertainment.
His first gig was in a television commercial.
Joke
A playful or amusing act or remark.
I just made a joke about the weather.
Gig
A job, especially one that is temporary or freelance.
He picked up a gig as a stagehand.
Joke
A joke is a display of humour in which words are used within a specific and well-defined narrative structure to make people laugh and is usually not meant to be taken seriously. It takes the form of a story, usually with dialogue, and ends in a punch line.
Gig
A light, two-wheeled carriage drawn by one horse.
Joke
Something said or done to evoke laughter or amusement, especially an amusing story with a punch line.
Gig
A long light ship's boat, usually reserved for use by the ship's captain.
Joke
A mischievous trick; a prank
Played a joke on his roommate.
Gig
A fast light rowboat.
Joke
Something that is of ludicrously poor quality
Their delivery service is a joke.
Gig
An object that whirls.
Joke
Something not to be taken seriously; a triviality
The accident was no joke.
Gig
(Games)A three-digit selection in a numbers game.
Joke
An object of amusement or laughter; a laughingstock
His loud tie was the joke of the office.
Gig
An arrangement of barbless hooks that is dragged through a school of fish to hook them in their bodies.
Joke
To tell or play jokes; jest.
Gig
A pronged spear for fishing or catching frogs.
Joke
To speak in fun; be facetious
You have to be joking.
Gig
A demerit given in the military.
Joke
To say or write as a joke.
Gig
A job, especially a booking for musicians.
Joke
An amusing story.
Gig
A gigabyte.
Joke
Something said or done for amusement, not in seriousness.
It was a joke!
Gig
To ride in a gig.
Joke
(figuratively) The root cause or main issue, especially an unexpected one
Gig
To fish for or catch with a gig.
Joke
(figuratively) A laughably worthless thing or person; a sham.
Your effort at cleaning your room is a joke.
The president was a joke.
Gig
To catch a fish or frog with a gig.
Joke
(figuratively) Something that is far easier or far less challenging than expected.
The final exam was a joke.
Gig
To give a military demerit to.
Joke
(intransitive) To do or say something for amusement rather than seriously.
I didn’t mean what I said — I was only joking.
Gig
To work as a musician
"gigging weekends as a piano player in the ski joints" (Joel Oppenheimer).
Joke
(intransitive, followed by with) To dupe in a friendly manner for amusement; to mess with, play with.
Relax, man, I'm just joking with you.
Gig
Originally (music), a performing engagement by a musician or musical group; a job or role for a performer.
Hey, when are we gonna get that hotel gig again?
Joke
To make merry with; to make jokes upon; to rally.
To joke a comrade
Gig
(by extension) Any job, especially one that is freelance or temporary, or done on an on-demand basis.
I had this gig as a file clerk but it wasn’t my style so I left.
That guy’s got a great gig over at the bike shop. He hardly works all day.
Joke
Something said for the sake of exciting a laugh; something witty or sportive (commonly indicating more of hilarity or humor than jest); a jest; a witticism; as, to crack good-natured jokes.
And gentle dullness ever loves a joke.
Or witty joke our airy senses movesTo pleasant laughter.
Gig
A demerit received for some infraction of a military deportment or dress code.
I received gigs for having buttons of my uniform undone.
Joke
Something not said seriously, or not actually meant; something done in sport.
Inclose whole downs in walls, 't is all a joke.
Gig
Clipping of gigabyte
This picture is almost a gig; don’t you want to resize it?
My new computer has over 500 gigs of hard drive space.
Joke
To make merry with; to make jokes upon; to rally; to banter; as, to joke a comrade.
Gig
Any unit of measurement having the SI prefix giga-.
Joke
To do something for sport, or as a joke; to be merry in words or actions; to jest.
He laughed, shouted, joked, and swore.
Gig
(obsolete) A top which is made to spin by tying a piece of string around it and then throwing it so that the string unwinds rapidly; a whipping-top.
Joke
A humorous anecdote or remark intended to provoke laughter;
He told a very funny joke
He knows a million gags
Thanks for the laugh
He laughed unpleasantly at hisown jest
Even a schoolboy's jape is supposed to have some ascertainable point
Gig
)|archaic|or|dialectal}} A person with an odd appearance; also, a foolish person.
Joke
Activity characterized by good humor
Gig
Senses relating to enjoyment.
Joke
A ludicrous or grotesque act done for fun and amusement
Gig
Fun; frolics.
Joke
A triviality not to be taken seriously;
I regarded his campaign for mayor as a joke
Gig
(obsolete) A fanciful impulse; a whim; also, a joke.
Joke
Tell a joke; speak humorously;
He often jokes even when he appears serious
Gig
Senses relating to vehicles.
Joke
Act in a funny or teasing way
Gig
(watercraft)
Gig
A two-wheeled carriage drawn by a single horse.
Gig
(obsolete) A frivolous, playful, or wanton young woman; a giglet or giglot.
Gig
(fishing) fishgig or {{en}}.
Gig
(transitive)
Gig
(music) To play (a musical instrument) at a gig.
Gig
To impose a demerit (on someone) for an infraction of a military deportment or dress code.
His sergeant gigged him for an unmade bunk.
Gig
(intransitive)
Gig
To engage in a musical performance, act in a theatre production, etc.
Gig
(by extension) To work at any job, especially one that is freelance or temporary, or done on an on-demand basis.
Gig
(transitive) To make a joke, often condescendingly, at the expense of (someone); to make fun of.
His older cousin was just gigging him about being in love with that girl from school.
Gig
(intransitive) Sometimes followed by it: to ride in a horse]].
Gig
(transitive) To spear (fish, etc.) with a gig or fizgig.
Gig
(intransitive) To catch or fish with a gig or fizgig.
Gig
A fiddle.
Gig
A kind of spear or harpoon. See Fishgig.
Gig
A playful or wanton girl; a giglot.
Gig
A top or whirligig; any little thing that is whirled round in play.
Thou disputest like an infant; go, whip thy gig.
Gig
A light carriage, with one pair of wheels, drawn by one horse; a kind of chaise.
Gig
A long, light rowboat, generally clinkerbuilt, and designed to be fast; a boat appropriated to the use of the commanding officer; as, the captain's gig.
Gig
A rotatory cylinder, covered with wire teeth or teasels, for teaseling woolen cloth.
Gig
A job for a specified, usually short period of time; - used especially for the temporary engagements of an entertainer, such as a jazz musician or a rock group; as, a one-week gig in Las Vegas.
Gig
To engender.
Gig
To fish with a gig.
Gig
Long and light rowing boat; especially for racing
Gig
An implement with a shaft and barbed point used for catching fish
Gig
A cluster of hooks (without barbs) that is drawn through a school of fish to hook their bodies; used when fish are not biting
Gig
Tender that is a light ship's boat; often for personal use of captain
Gig
Small two-wheeled horse-drawn carriage; with two seats and no hood
Gig
A booking for musicians;
They played a gig in New Jersey
Common Curiosities
What types of venues are associated with gigs?
Gigs typically occur in entertainment venues such as music clubs, theaters, or concert halls.
How do jokes and gigs differ in purpose?
Jokes aim to provoke immediate laughter, while gigs involve performing for entertainment as a job.
Can a joke be part of a gig?
Yes, jokes can be part of gigs, especially in stand-up comedy or humorous performances.
What is a gig?
A gig refers to a job or performance, particularly by musicians or entertainers.
How can one find gigs?
Gigs can be found through networking, industry contacts, or booking agents, and increasingly through online platforms.
Can jokes be offensive?
Yes, jokes can sometimes be offensive, depending on the content and the audience's perceptions or sensitivities.
What is a joke?
A joke is a short story or statement intended to provoke laughter or amusement.
What skills are necessary for successful gigs?
Successful gigs often require skills in performance, audience engagement, and sometimes musical talent, depending on the gig.
What's the difference between a gig and a regular job?
A gig is typically temporary or freelance, often part of the gig economy, whereas a regular job might involve long-term employment and fixed hours.
How do audiences interact differently with jokes and gigs?
Audiences react to jokes with immediate laughter, while their interaction with gigs can include applause, cheers, and prolonged engagement.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
