Final answer:
The joke that Captain Kirk has three ears is a pun involving wordplay, combining a pop culture reference with humor.
Step-by-step explanation:
The joke that Captain Kirk has three ears is a classic example of a play on words, where language is used in a humorous way to create a pun. The punchline lies in the fact that this fictional character from the television series Star Trek is said to have a left ear, a right ear, and a final 'frontier.' The word 'frontier' sounds similar to 'front ear,' which complements the space exploration theme of the series as Captain Kirk is often associated with exploring new frontiers. This joke is a blend of humor and pop culture reference, making it a light-hearted addition to an English or pop culture lesson, possibly in the context of discussing puns and their effect on humor.