Recurring Jokes

The Simpsons uses many recurring in-jokes throughout its run, and these jokes are a dominant part of the show's style and humor. These jokes range from very clear issues (Ex. Springfield's state is a mystery) to very obscure, subtle content which is only noticed when viewed or carefully.

List of Recurring Jokes

 * Springfield's Mystery Location - Throughout the show's run, it has always been known that the episodes are primarily set in an average American town called Springfield, but the state which Springfield belongs to has never been revealed. Jokes about this are constantly made (In The Simpsons Movie the four states that border Springfield are said to be "Maine, Kentucky, Nevada, and Ohio") to add to the humorous mystery.
 * The Letter 'M' - The show's creator, Matt Groening, visually hides the letter M (his first initial) in many places around Springfield. Notable hiding spots for the letter include: Homer's hairline (Occasionally his ear is in the shape of a G also, to represent Groening's second initial), Selma Bouvier's hair, and the hair on Groundskeeper Willie's forearm.