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Joke vs Yoke - What's the difference?

joke | yoke |

In figuratively terms the difference between joke and yoke

is that joke is a worthless thing or person while yoke is a burden; something which represses or restrains a person.

As nouns the difference between joke and yoke

is that joke is an amusing story while yoke is a bar or frame of wood by which two oxen are joined at the heads or necks for working together.

As verbs the difference between joke and yoke

is that joke is to do or say something for amusement rather than seriously while yoke is to link or to join.

joke

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • An amusing story.
  • * Gay
  • Or witty joke our airy senses moves / To pleasant laughter.
  • Something said or done for amusement, not in seriousness.
  • It was a joke !
  • * Alexander Pope
  • Enclose whole downs in walls, 'tis all a joke .
  • (figuratively) The root cause or main issue, especially an unexpected one
  • (figuratively) A worthless thing or person.
  • Your effort at cleaning your room is a joke .
    The president was a joke .

    Usage notes

    * Adjectives often applied to "joke": old, bad, inside, poor, silly, funny, lame, hilarious, stupid, offensive.

    Synonyms

    * See also

    Derived terms

    * bad joke * standing joke * knock-knock joke * light bulb joke * practical joke

    Coordinate terms

    * comedy * limerick * parody * pun

    Verb

    (jok)
  • To do or say something for amusement rather than seriously.
  • I didn’t mean what I said — I was only joking .
  • (dated) To make merry with; to make jokes upon; to rally.
  • to joke a comrade

    See also

    * jeer * mock ----

    yoke

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A bar or frame of wood by which two oxen are joined at the heads or necks for working together.
  • * Alexander Pope
  • A yearling bullock to thy name shall smoke, / Untamed, unconscious of the galling yoke .
  • A pair (of animals, especially oxen).
  • * 1526 , William Tyndale, trans. Bible , Luke XIV:
  • And another sayd: I have bought fyve yooke of oxen, and I must goo to prove them, I praye the have me excused.
  • A frame made to fit the neck and shoulders of a person, used for carrying a pair of buckets, etc., one at each end of the frame.
  • A frame worn on the neck of an animal, such as a cow, pig, or goose, to prevent passage through a fence.
  • (figuratively) A burden; something which represses or restrains a person.
  • A frame or convex piece by which a bell is hung for ringing it.
  • The part of a shirt that stretches over the shoulders, usually made out of a doubled piece of fabric. Or, a pair of fabric panels on trousers (especially jeans) or a skirt, across the back of the garment below the waistband.
  • * 1913 ,
  • [...] this city child was dressed in what was then called the "Kate Greenaway" manner, and her red cashmere frock, gathered full from the yoke , came almost to the floor.
  • (bodybuilding) Well-developed muscles of the neck and shoulders.
  • * 2010 , Jim Wendler, "Build an NFL Neck", Men's Fitness (April), page 73.
  • Nothing says you're a dedicated lifter and true athlete more than a massive yoke —that is, the muscles of the neck, traps, and rear delts.
  • (aviation) The column-mounted of an aircraft.
  • (electronics) The electro-magnetic coil that deflects the electron beam in a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube).
  • (nautical) A fitting placed across the head of the rudder with a line attached at each end by which a boat may be steered. In modern use it is primarily found in sailing canoes and kayaks.
  • (agriculture, dated, uncommon) An alternative name for a cowpoke.
  • (glassblowing) A Y-shaped stand used to support a blowpipe or punty while reheating in the glory hole.
  • (engineering) A bent crosspiece connecting two other parts.
  • A tie securing two timbers together, not used for part of a regular truss, but serving a temporary purpose, as to provide against unusual strain.
  • (dressmaking) A band shaped to fit the shoulders or the hips, and joined to the upper full edge of the waist or the skirt.
  • The amount of land ploughed in a day by a pair of oxen.
  • (Gardner)
  • A portion of the working day.
  • to work two yokes , i.e. to work both morning and afternoon
    (Halliwell)
  • (informal, Ireland) A miscellaneous object; a gadget.
  • Synonyms

    * (aviation) control wheel

    Derived terms

    * pass under the yoke * under the yoke

    Verb

    (yok)
  • To link or to join.
  • *
  • Muriel and Benjamin yoked themselves into an old governess-cart and did their share.
  • To unite, to connect.
  • * Bible, 2 Corinthians vi. 14
  • Be ye not unequally yoked with unbelievers.
  • To enslave; to bring into bondage; to restrain; to confine.
  • * Milton
  • Then were they yoked with garrisons.
  • * Hudibras
  • The words and promises that yoke / The conqueror are quickly broke.

    Derived terms

    * yoke together