Jokes & Pranks: English Vocabulary List

to make one's fingers V-shaped and put them behind a person's head as a way of joking, particularly when taking a photograph

"The child gave his brother bunny ears."

"The boy gave his friend bunny ears in the photo and everyone laughed when they saw it."

to grab and pull a person's underwear or pants to make it get stuck between their buttocks, often as a prank

"He gave her a melvin."

"As a mean prank at summer camp, one boy gave another a melvin, and the counselor had to intervene quickly."

in an ironic, humorous, or insincere way, not meant to be taken literally

"He said it with his tongue in his cheek."

"He made the ridiculous suggestion with his tongue in his cheek and everyone knew he was joking."

to behave in a silly way, particularly to amuse or entertain others

"He played the fool at the party."

"He played the fool at the party to make everyone laugh but secretly he is very intelligent."

to joke with someone in a friendly manner by trying to make them believe something that is not true

"He pulls my chain."

"My brother loves to yank my chain by telling me outrageous stories and watching me believe every single word."

to joke with someone in a friendly manner by trying to make them believe something that is not true

"I was just pulling your leg."

"Don't worry, I'm only pulling your leg — I didn't really eat all the cookies."

said humorously when a light is switched on, referring a Bible story about how God lighted the earth for the first time

"Let there be light!"

"As the electrician flipped the switch, the room was suddenly illuminated, and someone humorously exclaimed, 'Let there be light!'"