Jokes with the chaps (6)
I believe the answer is:
cracks
This clue is a double definition.
'jokes' is the first definition.
'chaps' is the second definition.
('crack' can be a synonym of 'chap')
'with the' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for cracks that I've seen before include "Attempts" , "They're how the light gets in, according to Leonard Cohen" , "Splits; quips" , "'Fractures, splits (6)'" .)