But that has always been the case, and will continue to be the case. This is exactly how comedy "evolves," because as one thing becomes off-limits, other things become funny.
We always weep over jokes of the past no longer being accepted. Think about that in the reverse. How much of what we find hilarious today would have been funny 50 years ago. Judging by the look my grandmother gives me when I crack a joke, not very much.
I think there are three reasons your grandmother would give you that look.
1) She understands the joke but it isn't funny to her because, well, the joke just isn't good.
2) She doesn't understand the joke because, for example, she doesn't know what you are referring to with the joke (maybe it's about a meme or a celebrity or an invention she hasn't even heard about).
3) She is offended by the joke.
And at the same time:
1) You have your own reasoning what makes a joke funny.
2) You know about different things than your grandmother knows about.
3) You don't get why she would be offended by something you aren't offended about.
I don't think any of these have anything to do with jokes evolving.
A joke is a joke. It's our understanding of the world that either makes it or breaks it for each person. But as long as your grandmother lives she probably laughs at different things and you give her the same looks for the exact same reasons she gives them to you. Based on that no one can say if the jokes have been evolved or devolved. You would probably think they have evolved but your grandmother might thing they have devolved. But the only thing that is certain is that people's opinions and understanding of the world have changed.
Probably your grandchildren will be cracking jokes that will make you give them the look. And those jokes might offend you. Would you then say comedy has evolved or devolved? Or have people's opinions and understanding of the world just changed?
