59 Completely Random Words That Became Unexpected Online Jokes

For the uninitiated, the subreddit’s name itself is a misspelling of the word “skateboard.” It came about when a screenshot of a 2020 text message from pro skater Tony Hawk went viral, showing him responding to a random fan with the word “skamteboard.” 

It was after Hawk posted his actual phone number to connect with people that it, of course, received a ton of traction. 

Laughing at something that is out of place, much like the words on this list, apparently traces back to our evolutionary roots. University of Edinburgh professor Jonathan Silvertown, an expert on this matter, says that absurdist humor has been popular since Shakespeare's time.

In his article, Silvertown also explained how the human brain is actually programmed to detect errors and incongruity that ultimately trigger hilarity and amusement. 

“These errors are processed, compared with expectation, and those judged humorous ricochet around the brain, producing laughter,” he wrote. 

The Benign Violations Theory is often cited as a primary framework for what makes something funny. Simply put, it’s when the violation of a norm, which in this case is the proper spelling of a word, will likely be perceived as funny. 

As consumer psychologist Cathrine Jansson-Boyd writes, what determines whether something being ridiculed is “benign” depends on how bad it is and how far we are removed from it.

“In terms of personal experience, serious events may be considered funnier over time, while stubbing a toe, which would be considered a minor violation, would lose its comedic effect over time,” Jansson-Boyd explains.