Tom Hanks' Latest Social Media Gag Is the Definition of a Dad Joke

Given that A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood is only days away from its debut, it's no surprise that the internet has recently erupted with stories of Tom Hanks' many acts of kindness. All it takes is one quick glance at his Twitter account to see that he is the World's Best Dad for the entire planet, which is why his casting as Fred Rogers couldn't be more perfect.

In 2015, Hanks used his Twitter account to help a college student find her lost ID.

Lauren! I found your Student ID in the park. If you still need it my office will get to you. Hanx. pic.twitter.com/Ee9kK4V4qf

— Tom Hanks (@tomhanks) October 6, 2015

Which then spiraled into a heartwarming running gag of posting photos of shoes, socks, scarves, and gloves that had been separated form their owners, until his entire account became a lost and found.

Poor little shoe! Little kid shoe! Hanx! pic.twitter.com/RMm0XtFPr8

— Tom Hanks (@tomhanks) February 28, 2018

There's a wholesome sweetness to these posts—a storybook feel that makes it seem like the worst thing that can happen in the world is a lost mitten.

A lost pair is hard to find. Hanx pic.twitter.com/D7hqiPmNXj

— Tom Hanks (@tomhanks) November 20, 2017

As time went on, the captions also became increasingly filled with dad joke humor, and not only because he signs each one of them with "Hanx."

Put 'er there! Hanx pic.twitter.com/10mjMdiOp0

— Tom Hanks (@tomhanks) July 8, 2017

But for the past three years, he's been embarking on a running joke that's even more dad-like. It consists, quite simply, of Hanks—sorry, "Hanx"—taking a photo next to a random car and writing a caption along the lines of "I love my new car," but struggling to open it.

I got a new car! Hanx pic.twitter.com/kzij8QEIyoae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb

— Tom Hanks (@tomhanks) November 18, 2016

Usually, the vehicle in question in pretty beat-up.

I got a new car!! Hanx. pic.twitter.com/uSsjOEZMuq

— Tom Hanks (@tomhanks) October 19, 2018

OK, really beat-up.

I bought a used car! Hanx. pic.twitter.com/QdYMCotwKW

— Tom Hanks (@tomhanks) July 11, 2018

And, in true dad form, the photo quality is conspicuously blurry.

I bought a new car! Hanx. pic.twitter.com/E7h5ltNfgP

— Tom Hanks (@tomhanks) June 29, 2019

He's always in the same stance, pretending to pull on the handle. (Cue "oh dad" eye roll here.)

Excited about my new car!! Hanx. pic.twitter.com/5xAsrjtYDW

— Tom Hanks (@tomhanks) August 6, 2018

Sometimes, he expands to trucks.

I got a new truck! I'm going camping! Hanx. pic.twitter.com/wUXPtyZcQm

— Tom Hanks (@tomhanks) March 11, 2017

But it's mostly, shall we say, older cars.

I got a new car! Hanx pic.twitter.com/2wKHLMXnWt

— Tom Hanks (@tomhanks) July 9, 2017

There doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason to this ongoing joke, other than it's the kind of thing any dad would do on a family road trip as his kids groaned.

I bought a new car! Perfect for August! pic.twitter.com/E39y6S2JLP

— Tom Hanks (@tomhanks) August 5, 2019

But, of course, that in itself is the beauty of the dad joke.

And for more on this great art form, check out: Colorado Dad Goes Viral for His Hilarious Dad Jokes on Community Center Sign.