"Quick, tell me a joke!"

It's an awful thing to ask someone, both putting them on the spot and in a position to be judged if they can't pull it off. Even comedians hate the question since jokes thrive on subverting expectations and coming at unexpected times. 

A joke needs good timing and precise wording to work, so even if you know a few, telling one well and on the spot in front of others can be a daunting prospect. Fortunately, we've assembled a list of 20 easy jokes you can tell at a moment's notice. They're easy to remember, have simple punch lines, and are still laugh out loud funny. 

So the next time someone compliments your sense of humor and asks you to "tell a joke," you'll be ready with one of these. No emergency yo' mama jokes necessary.