“Why are they called ‘buildings’ when they’re already finished?” (joke)

“Why are they called “buildings’ when they’re already finished? Shouldn’t they be called ‘builts’?” is a jocular question that has been printed on many images. The joke that has been cited in print since at least 1991 and has become popular on the internet. The comedian Gallagher has told the joke, although it’s not known if he told it first.
 
“Why are they called ‘apartments’ when they’re all stuck together?” is a similar jocular question.
     
 
Google Groups: alt.usage.english
“off-loading”
Deven Naniwadekar
6/23/91
(...)
- Why are they called apartments when they are together?
 
- Why are they called buildings when they have been already built?
     
6 August 1995, Atlanta (GA) Journal-Constitution, “TechMedia” by Charles Haddad, pg. H2, col. 3:
This Web site has a collection of questions with answers. They include such queries as: Why is it called a building when it’s already built?
 
Google Groups: rec.humor
unanswerable questions
troy trimble
12/8/95
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) (E. Paul Mayhan) were:
>Why do they call them buildings when they are already built?
 
As the comedian Gallagher put it:

Why are they called “buildings” when they’re done building them? They ought to call them builts ... or crumblings ... like “I live in that crumbling over there”
 
Google Groups: alt.tasteless.jokes
read this a real joke
Power
9/29/97
(...)
Why are they called buildings, when they’re already finished? Shouldn’t they be called builts?
 
Why are they called apartments, when they’re all stuck together?
 
Google Groups: alt.support.headaches.migraine
And still more questions….Bob??
Cyndi Schultz
1/5/98
Well, Bob, if I could stop laughing I’m sure I have other questions you may be able to answer. Give me a minute to collect myself. I’m trying not to wake John up with my laughing, and I’m gonna pee in my pants! Okay….let’s give this a try. I’ve asked these before, but didn’t get an answer. Since you seem to be in an answering mood, I’ll ask again. Why are they called apartments, when they’re all stuck together? How come the Department of the Interior is in charge of all things outdoors? Why are they called buildings when they’re already built?
     
Google Groups: alt.fifty-plus.friends
Why?
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
8/9/98
(...)
Why are they called buildings, when they’re already finished?  Shouldn’t they be called builts?
 
Why are they called apartments, when they’re all stuck together?
 
15 February 2000, Washington (DC) Post, “Does Backseat Junk Reveal Eligible Men?” by Bob Levey, pg. C10:
Why are they called buildings when they are already finished? Shouldn’t they be called “builts”?
 
Twitter
Susan
‏@kitykity
I’ve got twitteroo.  Woo hoo!  Leaving here in a bit… why are they called “buildings,” they’re already built, call them “builts”!
12:31 PM - 16 Mar 2007
 
Google Books
The Laughter File
By Mark Chandler
Published by author
2008
Pg. 81:
Why are they called buildings, when they’re already finished? Shouldn’t they be called builts?
 
Twitter
LabyrinthX
‏@LabyrinthX
Why are they called buildings, when they’re already finished? Shouldn’t they be called builts?
9:49 AM - 3 Dec 2008
 
Google Books
552 Questions That Make You Go “Hmmmmm!”
87 Great Put Downs!
By Wayne Cundal
Bloomington, IN: AuthorHouse
2010
Pg. 41:
Why are they called ‘buildings’ when they’re finished? SHouldn’t they be ‘builts’?
 
Google Books
What I Need 2 Succeed:
From A to Z for Teens
By Linda Carter
New York, NY: Morgan James Publishing
2016
Pg. 143:
Why are they called buildings when they’re already finished? Shouldn’t they be called builts?