Esoteric Programming Languages Are Fun—Until They Kill the Joke

Esolangs are quirky, experimental programming languages designed for humor, frustration, and challenge. From Brainfuck's cryptic commands to Shakespeare Programming Language's poetic syntax, these languages push programming boundaries in creative and often amusing ways. They serve as tests of wit or entertainment tools, taking programming to an extreme. Yet, they're sometimes dismissed as "gimmicks," using minimal effort for maximum impact—why else would they deserve such a peculiar moniker?