Democracy Dies in Darkness

He’s renowned for his bad dad jokes. Now he’s hunting for the worst dad jokes of all — for a good cause.

June 17, 2020 at 7:00 a.m. EDT
Darcy Schruben, 11, and parents Ann and Tom make their way to the curb to post the daily joke at home in Kensington last month. (Michael S. Williamson/The Washington Post)

The “Bad Dad Jokes” sign that stands proudly in front of Tom and Ann Schruben’s Maryland home has become a neighborhood destination in recent months.

The jokes Tom scribbles each morning are supposed to be bad — and they are — but people love them anyway, which is why there is a steady stream of people ambling or driving by the family’s Kensington home on any given day.