Gary Delaney is another comic who can take the one-liner to the darker side. His gags often appear on Funniest Jokes from the Edinburgh Fringe lists; in fact he’s the only comedian to ever have two jokes in the same top ten. My personal favourite is his 2013 gem: “I can give you the cause of anaphylactic shock in a nutshell.”

Some may dismiss the one-liner as an easy gag, but a good one requires real skill. Luckily, there are comedians out there who have mastered the art. “Take my wife… please.” Only four words, but one of the most famous jokes in American comedy. It was written by Henny Youngman who, in the ’30s was considered the King of the One-Liners.