Funny words for the imposter game that crack the whole table

There is a moment in every game night when everyone knows the rules and the mood starts to matter more than the challenge. That is when funny words come in. They are not funny because they are strange. They are funny because everybody knows them and everybody has an embarrassing story about them.

What makes an imposter word funny?

• It paints a clear picture. Flip flops is funny, Footwear is not.
• It comes with a shared memory. Prom brings back the same music and the same bad suit for everyone.
• It is a little awkward. Selfie stick is not hard, but everybody has a story about one.
• It is never mean. A good funny word gets a laugh without making anyone the joke.

Awkward moments

These give the best clues, because everyone approaches them from a different angle and everyone has suffered through at least one.

• First date, Job interview, Class reunion, Prom, Office Christmas party, Wedding speech
• Dentist waiting room, Passport photo, Karaoke, Group photo, Parent teacher evening, Driving test
• Video call with your camera on by mistake, Reply all, Waving at someone who was waving at someone else
• Forgetting someone's name, Walking into a glass door, Laughing at a funeral, Meeting the in-laws

Everyday chaos

Objects and moments nobody ever talks about, even though we run into them every day.

• Flip flops, Selfie stick, Fridge magnet, Sock drawer, Tangled cables, Charger left in a hotel
• Robot vacuum, Toaster, Mug in the sink, Lawnmower on a Sunday morning, Neighbour's barking dog
• Group chat, Unread emails, Password reset, Cookie banner, Ad before the video, Phone at 1 percent
• Self checkout, Shopping trolley with a wobbly wheel, Last parking space, Queue that does not move

No paper needed

The impostor party game has 300+ words across ten categories and deals the roles on one phone. Or copy these onto slips and play the old way.

Impostor Party Game

Download free

Silly animals

• Platypus, Sloth, Llama, Meerkat, Hedgehog, Penguin, Pug, Goat, Ostrich, Flamingo
• Pigeon in the town square, Cat on the keyboard, Dog at the beach, Seagull stealing chips, Ants in the kitchen

Funny food words

• Spaghetti, Jelly, Pineapple pizza, Brussels sprouts, Marshmallow, Hot sauce, Cereal at midnight
• Burnt toast, Leftovers, Microwave dinner, Birthday cake with candles, Kebab at 3 am, Fondue

Pop culture, the funny way

• Shrek, Minions, Mr Bean, Home Alone, Ice Age, Ratatouille, The Matrix, Star Wars
• Bohemian Rhapsody at karaoke, Slow dance at the school disco, Musical birthday card, Ringtone from 2005
• Holiday slideshow, Dance lesson before the wedding, Reality TV, Viral dance, Cat video

How to use them

1. 1Do not mix serious and funny words in the same round. Pick a mood and stick with it for three or four rounds.
2. 2Shorten the discussion. Thirty seconds is plenty, because order collapses anyway.
3. 3Laughing at your own clue is not a giveaway. With funny words, everyone laughs.
4. 4Save the most awkward word for the last round. That is the best way to end a night.

Want the full list with easy, medium and hard words too? See imposter game words. New to the game? Here is how to play imposter.