A grasshopper hops into a bar.

The humor in this classic bar joke hinges on a simple, brilliant misunderstanding. The bartender, seeing the insect, is obviously referring to its species. But the joke works by giving the grasshopper a distinct personality and, more importantly, a very human name. The punchline lands by swapping the expected reaction for an absurdly mundane one. We're prepared for a joke about a bug, but we get a joke about a regular guy named Steve who just happens to be a grasshopper.

What grounds this silly scenario in reality is the existence of the actual Grasshopper cocktail. This bright green, sweet, and minty after-dinner drink was invented in New Orleans and became a huge hit throughout the mid-20th century. Made with crème de menthe, crème de cacao, and cream, its signature color is what gives it the perfect name. The joke cleverly plays on this real-world fact, creating a perfect blend of the absurd and the oddly plausible.