Classy

This joke was found in an Anglo Saxon manuscript- so we can say that is an English joke as it would be in what we know as “old English” which is not its own language per say as much as it is an archaic form of the same language that is close to incomprehensible to modern speakers as a foreign language. But it is still in the category of “English languages” and the Anglo saxons are generally held as the first group to speak “english” as a recognized and formed independent language, as well as the first people to be called “English.” We cannot however say that the joke is of Anglo Saxon origin- so it would be better to distinguish this as the first English language record of a joke, and for the second commenter to state as: “the first English language record of a joke...” as opposed to “the first joke.”

But ancient humor is often quite funny and very much like our own- even the specifics are often relatable. The Egyptians joked that men are like donkeys when it comes to sex, except that men are limited by how much money they have. History is full of awesome “your mother jokes” and great insults. We find that bodily functions, sex and relationships, money, gender, class, and “toilet humor” were all very popular throughout history. Due to linguistic differences and cultural differences sometimes jokes are very easy to miss in ancient texts.

But largely humor then as now, focussed a lot on the irreverent and inappropriate. But to those who say things have changed so much and humor has become repressive... well... back then you risked being killed if a joke didn’t land or it offended someone. There’s that. Also, you have to remember that most people couldn’t read. So written jokes- the writer would know that the general public likely wouldn’t be exposed to their joke, and it would likely not be seen outside their intended audience. Then and now there were some people who were known for making jokes that offended people. Then just like now- if they were lucky and skilled they might be well renowned, and if they were more offensive than funny- they could be in trouble. Trouble tended to be worse in ancient history than today however.