Mad Men

History of Mother-In-Law Jokes

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Mother-in-law jokes were big back in the era of Mad Men and the ‘50s. The joke genre was once a mainstay for stand up comedians. The premise includes the stereotype that mothers-in-law are generally overbearing, obnoxious, and unattractive.

What’s the historical origins of mother-In-law jokes - and what change in society led to their demise?