That's What She Said Jokes

Cody Sousa

For those of you who don’t know, here is an example of a “that’s what she said” joke. A person will say, “Wow, you were amazing!” Someone will reply, “that’s what she said.”

Depending on the situation, however, these jokes could be extremely funny or not funny at all. Sometimes these jokes are not funny because a Cardinal Newman student will use this phrase when it doesn’t make any sense. Somebody could say, “I forgot my homework” and someone will reply with “that’s what she said.” The funniest thing is that people actually laugh. The joke could make absolutely no sense whatsoever and people will still crack up laughing. What is also funny is the constant use, the over-use of this joke. Cardinal Newman students like it that much.

I have no idea why people like this joke. I do know that the popularity of “that’s what she said jokes” has something to do with the hilarious television show, “The Office.” In it, Michael Scott is a complete idiot and he uses the “that’s what she said” remark at the most inappropriate times. Why would anyone want to imitate him? The answer is beyond me. But Cardinal Newman students imitate him still.

These jokes are totally un-funny in various situations. For example, a student could have a game-winning shot in his basketball game one night. The next morning, his mom says, “You were great last night”. It is natural, in this situation, for a “that’s what she said” joke to come to mind, but most intelligent people would realize that this is a very inappropriate time to use the joke. Not a Cardinal Newman student. Any student would just fire off a “that’s what she said” comment right at their mom without even giving it a thought. This would not, under any circumstances be okay to say to your mom.

These jokes have gotten extremely annoying over the past few years, but people continue to use it over and over again. It’s at a point now where if someone says “that’s what she said” I completely ignore it, as do some other people. The phrase is still loved and being used very often and, unfortunately, will never leave. Some of us wish it would slow down. That’s what she said.