My son asked me if I believed in ghosts.

This joke expertly plays on a classic misdirection, setting up an expectation for a deep, philosophical conversation about the supernatural (Review) before delivering a decidedly mundane and relatable punchline. The humor arises from the sudden shift from the ethereal topic of ghosts to the very practical and universally dreaded chore of doing the dishes. It’s a clever use of anti-humor, where the grand initial question is deflated by a self-serving and entirely human "belief" in avoiding household tasks, creating a comedic subversion of what the listener anticipates.

The setup taps into a common family dynamic: children often pose big, abstract questions about the world, including the existence of ghosts (Review), prompting parents to offer guidance or share their own perspectives. This is juxtaposed with the equally common, if less profound, reality of daily domestic life. The "belief" in not doing dishes resonates with anyone who has ever lived in a household, highlighting the eternal struggle and occasional negotiation around chores. It's a relatable snapshot of a parent perhaps using a child's innocent inquiry as an opportunity to subtly express their own everyday desires, grounding the supernatural in a very down-to-earth domestic plea.