Full House, the beloved family sitcom that ran from 1987 to 1995, is a show that continues to hold a special place in the hearts of viewers. From its catchy theme song to its memorable characters, the series captured the essence of family life with its sweet, humorous, and often heartwarming moments. However, as kids, many of us missed the clever, more sophisticated humor buried within the jokes. Now, as adults, we can finally appreciate the humor we once overlooked.
In this article, we’ll delve into the top 20 Full House jokes you probably didn’t get as a kid—jokes that may have flown right over your head when you were younger but are full of wit and charm as an adult. From pop culture references to adult humor and sarcastic one-liners, let’s explore the hidden gems of Full House’s comedy.
Uncle Jesse’s Rock Star Humor
“Have Mercy!” – The Catchphrase That Was More Than Just Funny
Uncle Jesse, portrayed by John Stamos, was the quintessential cool uncle with a rock star attitude. His infamous catchphrase, “Have mercy!” was a staple of the show. As kids, we thought it was just a funny expression. But as adults, we realize Jesse was poking fun at his own self-perceived rock star status, referencing pop culture icons like Elvis Presley and the over-the-top persona of 80s rockers. It’s not just a funny line—it’s a shout-out to the over-the-top glam rock culture of the time.
Joey’s Stand-Up Comedy Routine
Joey’s “You’re Full of It” Joke
Joey Gladstone, played by Dave Coulier, was known for his slapstick humor and his stand-up comedy routines. One of his recurring bits involved his catchphrase, “You’re full of it!” aimed at various characters, usually in the middle of a chaotic situation. As kids, we thought it was just silly. Now, we recognize that it was an homage to the classic “full of hot air” joke, a subtle nod to the adult theme of exaggeration and fibbing.
Stephanie’s Wit Beyond Her Years
Stephanie’s Sarcastic One-Liners
As the middle child, Stephanie Tanner (Jodie Sweetin) often delivered some of the most sarcastic lines, especially in her interactions with her older sister DJ. One of the funniest lines comes when Stephanie says, “How rude!”—a catchphrase that became a fan favorite. While it was funny as a kid, as an adult, we now realize how cleverly it subverted the typical squeaky-clean image of child characters, adding a layer of sarcastic edge to her personality.
Danny Tanner’s Cleanliness Obsession
Danny’s Hygiene Humor
Danny Tanner, played by Bob Saget, was famously obsessed with cleanliness and orderliness. As a kid, we thought his insistence on everything being spotless was just a quirky trait of a loving, but slightly neurotic father. However, watching as an adult, we now see the humor in his exaggerated need for perfection, poking fun at the ’80s and ’90s obsession with cleanliness, as well as subtly commenting on the pressures of modern life and idealized family roles.
The Deadpan Humor of Kimmy Gibbler
Kimmy’s Outrageousness
Kimmy Gibbler, DJ’s best friend, was a character who added a wild touch to the show. She had a tendency to say some of the most random, offbeat things that were downright hilarious. One of her funniest moments involves her telling the Tanner family that she didn’t need to practice for her driver’s test because she was “born to drive.” As a kid, we took it at face value. As adults, we see the subtle joke about youthful overconfidence and Kimmy’s wonderfully exaggerated sense of self.
The Hidden Pop Culture References
“I’m Like a Guy Who Sings Karaoke” – A Nod to 80s and 90s Music Culture
Uncle Jesse’s love of music was often paired with subtle references to the music industry. For example, he compares himself to “a guy who sings karaoke” in one episode. To a kid, this might have seemed like a random line. As adults, however, we recognize it as a playful jab at the late 80s/early 90s karaoke craze and Jesse’s own image as a rock star wannabe.
Joey’s Double Entendre Humor
“Cut It Out” and Other Adult References
Joey’s most famous catchphrase, “Cut it out,” was more than just a goofy line. As a kid, we thought it was his quirky way of interrupting the situation. However, now that we’ve grown up, we realize Joey was often using this phrase as a clever way to sneak in double entendres, where the innocent appearance of the joke belies a much more adult, mature undertone.
DJ Tanner’s Relationship Advice
DJ’s Teenage Problems, and Her Very Adult Solutions
DJ Tanner often found herself giving advice to her friends and family about relationships, even though she was just a teenager herself. One moment that stands out is when she gives a ridiculously mature solution to a love problem, offering wisdom that seemed over-the-top for a young girl. As adults, we now recognize this as a humorous commentary on how teenagers often try to solve adult problems, adding a layer of irony to her well-intentioned advice.
The Character of Becky Tanner
Becky’s Professional Ambitions
Becky, the charming news anchor played by Lori Loughlin, was much more than just the love interest of Uncle Jesse. She had her own career ambitions and a serious side that often played off of Jesse’s more carefree attitude. One joke that went unnoticed as a child was her quip about the difficulties of balancing a professional career with family life—something that is only now truly relatable as adults juggling work and family.
The D.J. and Steve Dynamic
Steve’s Teen Drama with DJ
Steve, DJ’s boyfriend, had his share of awkward teen moments, but it was the adult-level humor behind their relationship that went over our heads as kids. For instance, when Steve was trying to impress DJ, his over-the-top efforts to show off made for some hilarious moments. We now see the comedic layers in Steve’s character—his attempts to be mature often highlight the absurdity of teen relationships and the challenges of growing up.
The Absurdity of the Tanner Family’s Situations
Impossible Scenarios
Full House thrived on over-the-top scenarios that, as kids, seemed perfectly normal. But looking back, many of these situations now seem hilariously exaggerated. Whether it’s dealing with an impromptu party, an accidental injury, or a wild misunderstanding, these situations reflect the humor that comes from life’s absurdity, making fun of how easily things can spiral out of control.
The Quirky Yet Wise Grandparents
Grandpa’s Wisecracks
The character of Grandpa (especially in his interactions with the younger generation) would often throw in quick, sharp-witted remarks that went unnoticed as kids. With his humorous takes on life and his dry humor, Grandpa’s remarks served as reminders of the older generation’s wit and perspective, often highlighting the contrast between youth and maturity.
The Surprising Depth of Some Jokes
Life Lessons Wrapped in Humor
While Full House may have been primarily a family show, it also delivered important life lessons through humor. Jokes that seemed simple often contained deeper meaning, such as dealing with loss, sibling rivalry, or growing up too fast. Now, we realize that these jokes weren’t just funny—they were crafted to provide emotional growth for viewers of all ages.
Joey’s “Cut-It-Out” Faces
The Seriousness Behind the Goofy Faces
As a kid, Joey’s “cut-it-out” face, where he pulls a hilarious grimace, seemed like just silly comedy. But as adults, we now recognize how the exaggerated facial expressions provided an undercurrent of comic relief to balance out the show’s more emotional moments. Joey’s ability to make us laugh while conveying deep emotions was a testament to his comedic timing.
Uncle Jesse’s Hair Jokes
The Many Jokes About Jesse’s Hair
Jesse’s hair was a constant source of humor on Full House, and his character was often teased about his “perfect” hair. Looking back as adults, we can appreciate how these jokes were both self-aware and a nod to the 1980s obsession with big hair and grooming. Uncle Jesse’s own vanity about his hair now seems like a humorous critique of the era’s beauty standards.
The Loveable Dysfunction of the Tanner Family
Family Dysfunction, But in the Most Hilarious Way
As kids, we took the Tanner family’s many quirks at face value. But upon rewatching Full House as adults, we can see that the humor in these dysfunctional moments was not just about the laughter—it was a loving commentary on family dynamics. The show taught us that every family is a little weird, and that’s what makes them lovable.
Conclusion: The Full House Humor We Missed as Kids
Rewatching Full House as an adult opens up a whole new world of humor we may have missed as kids. The witty one-liners, pop culture references, and quirky character traits are more than just silly jokes—they represent deeper cultural commentary and character development that resonates with viewers of all ages. While we all loved the heartwarming moments as children, it’s the clever humor behind the surface that makes Full House an enduring classic.
