History of The Jolly Joker

Ok, this one I made awhile ago just out of my own interest. Frankly I was totally bored and a bit drunk too when I started to dig up the facts. So here is the history of The Jolly Joker for dummies. Maybe it interests someone else too.

The Joker is a playing card which can replace any other card of the pack. Typical European pack has nowdays 52 suit cards and two jokers.

First mentions of The Jolly Joker or The Joker (sometimes The Jester) as part of card decks are from 1860’s Germany.

Even though first mentions of European playing cards are from 13^th century England, and Tarot cards were invented around 15^th century in Italy, it is believed that The Joker jumped to playing cards from Tarot. After all Tarot knows The Joker as well. Tarot calls it The Fool.

One theory suggests that the origin of the name “joker” is based to mistake made by Germans: they simply pronounced card game called Euchre wrong. (Euchre = Jukre = Juker = Joker).

The Joker can also be displayed as a woman, but to be honest it’s more than rare.

Colourfully dressed, joyfull, playing and dancing male figure is the most typical way The Joker is described and drawn.

Even though jokers are usually funny and harmless on top, they are also often described a bit strange or even scary. If you don’t buy that, just think about batman and Heath Ledger.