Practical joke 意為「惡作劇；捉弄」，與 prank 同義，所以與其連用的動詞也是 play，若後面要接被捉弄的對象，同樣慣用介系詞 on，即 to play a practical joke on somebody。根據線上語源詞典，這個名詞首次用於 1804 年，係源於 1741 年創造的 handicraft joke，但後者現已不再使用。惡作劇的人或捉弄別人的人叫做 practical joker (= prankster)。
例句：
- Children like to play practical jokes on people. (小孩子喜歡對人惡作劇)
- How can you suspect John of playing that practical joke on you? He looks so innocent. (你怎麼可以懷疑約翰對你惡作劇呢? 他看起來這麼無辜)
- When I was at school we were always playing practical jokes on our teachers. (我唸書時我們老是搞惡作劇捉弄老師)
- I’ve had enough of their childish practical jokes. (我受夠了他們幼稚的胡鬧了)
- Sam used to be a practical joker. (山姆以前是個經常搞惡作劇的人)