Act meant to produce humor by causing annoyance, alarm, confusion, discomfort, or embarrassment, but no lasting harm

concept

A surgeon applying the method of cupping to Ragotin, who believes his body has swelled in his sleep. Engraving by G. Huquier the elder after J.B. Oudry.

Road-racers on hand-cycles (above); a Japanese joins together with a rod the shoes of two Europeans so that they cannot walk (below). Colour process print, 1909.

Two university teachers walking in a crypt are tripped up and assaulted by students. Coloured etching by Thomas Rowlandson, 1811.

A parson being put into bed with an ass dressed in a frilled nightgown, as a practical joke. Coloured etching by C. Williams, 1814.

A surgeon bleeding Ragotin's arm - upon waking and attempting to get dressed he discovered his clothes were too tight and he believes his body has swollen in the night. Engraving.

A boy appearing to two girls as a ghost. Stipple engraving after R. Westall.

The abbé de Gondi being exorcised by Carthusian monks. Engraving by Ferdinand after N. Thomas.

Merrie conceited iests of George Peele, gentleman, sometimes student in Oxford. Wherein is shewed the course of his life. How he lived, a man very well knowne in the city of London and elsewhere.

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Practical jokes

Images from the collections

Images referencing Practical jokes

Works from the collections

The abbé de Gondi being exorcised by Carthusian monks. Engraving by Ferdinand after N. Thomas.

A parson being put into bed with an ass dressed in a frilled nightgown, as a practical joke. Coloured etching by C. Williams, 1814.

Merrie conceited iests of George Peele, gentleman, sometimes student in Oxford. Wherein is shewed the course of his life. How he lived, a man very well knowne in the city of London and elsewhere.

Two university teachers walking in a crypt are tripped up and assaulted by students. Coloured etching by Thomas Rowlandson, 1811.

A boy appearing to two girls as a ghost. Stipple engraving after R. Westall.