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October 26, 2016
Buildings/Housing/Parks

“Why do ghosts like to ride in elevators?”/“It lifts their spirits.”

A popular ghost riddle is: Q: Why do ghosts like to ride in elevators?A: It lifts their spirits. "Q. Why did the ghosts get in the elevator? A. They wanted to raise their spirits" was…

February 8, 2016
Buildings/Housing/Parks

“Why do mathematicians like parks?”/“Because of all the natural logs.”

A popular math joke is: Q: Why do mathematicians like parks?A: Because of all the natural logs. The natural logarithm ("natural logs") joke has been cited in print since at least 2006.…

June 22, 2024
Buildings/Housing/Parks

“Why do smoke detector batteries only ever run down then start making that annoying beep in the middle of the night?”

Smoke detector batteries start ot beep when they're low, and this always seems to happen in the middle of the night. "why do smoke detector batteries only ever run down then start making…

March 5, 2021
Buildings/Housing/Parks

“Why do they call it a hot water heater when it actually heats cold water?”

A water heater is often called a "hot water heater." "why do people say 'hot water heater' when it heats cold water?" was posted on Twitter by Barry Skalski on May 4,…

August 24, 2021
Buildings/Housing/Parks

“Why do they call them lifts in the UK & elevators in the US?”/“Because we’re raised differently.”

Why does one country use the term "lifts" and another country use the term "elevators"? "In the UK we call them lifts but in the US they call them elevators, because…

July 9, 2024
Buildings/Housing/ParksGovernment/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Why do thieves never target politicians’ homes?”/“Professional courtesy.”

Politicians have a reputation, according to many people, about the same as thieves. "Q: Why don't thieves burgle politicians' home? A: Professional courtesy. #LightUpNigeria"…

December 5, 2017
Buildings/Housing/Parks

“Why does Santa go down the chimney on Christmas Eve?”/“Because it soots him.”

A Christmas riddle is: Q: Why does Santa go down the chimney on Christmas Eve?A: Because it soots (suits) him. The Christmas pun has been cited in print since at least December 1894. Google…

May 18, 2024
Buildings/Housing/Parks

“Why does the need to pee intensify by a million when you are trying to unlock the door to your house?”

"Why does the need to pee intensify by a million when you are trying to unlock the door to your house?" is a jocular saying that has been printed on many images. "Why does the urge…

July 11, 2024
Buildings/Housing/ParksGovernment/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Why don’t thieves burgle politicians’ homes?”/“Professional courtesy.”

Politicians have a reputation, according to many people, about the same as thieves. "Q: Why don't thieves burgle politicians' home? A: Professional courtesy. #LightUpNigeria"…

July 25, 2018
Buildings/Housing/Parks

“Why is a room full of married people empty?”/“Because there’s not a single person in it.”

A riddle about rooms is: Q: Why is a room full of married people like an empty room?A: Because there's not a single person in it. The riddle has been cited in print since at least 1823. Google…

January 2, 2020
Buildings/Housing/Parks

“Why is it called a strip mall when there aren’t any strippers?”

A "strip mall" doesn't have anything to do with "stripping," but there are jokes. "RT @TheUnsayable: I can't find any strippers in this strip mall. Gonna check…

December 9, 2024
Buildings/Housing/ParksGovernment/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Why is it that no women are trying to get into the men’s restroom?”

"Why is it always biological male 'trans' trying to get in the women’s bathroom? Where are all the biological females trying to get into the men’s bathroom?" was posted on…

June 21, 2019
Buildings/Housing/Parks

“Why is the letter B so cool?”/“Because it’s sitting in the middle of the AC.”

An air conditioning riddle is: Q: Why is the letter B so cool?A: Because it’s sitting in the middle of the AC. "Why is the letter B so cool? A - cause its sitting inside the AC #zing"…

September 8, 2022
Buildings/Housing/Parks

“Why is the Tower of Pisa leaning?”/“Because it had better reflexes than the Twin Towers.”

The Leaning Tower of Pisa (in Pisa, Italy) tilts. The World Trade Center's Twin Towers (in New York City) were both destroyed on September 11, 2001. "Why the tower pisa is inclined?…

February 13, 2026
Buildings/Housing/ParksFood/Drink

“Why is there a light in the fridge, but not in the freezer? Yes, that food may be colder, but it still deserves to be seen”

Many people have wondered why there is a light in the refrigerator, but usually not in the freezer. Some refrigerators do have a freezer light, but historically this is the minority. The answer is…

February 13, 2026
Buildings/Housing/ParksFood/Drink

“Why is there a light in the refrigerator, but not in the freezer?”

Many people have wondered why there is a light in the refrigerator, but usually not in the freezer. Some refrigerators do have a freezer light, but historically this is the minority. The answer is…

March 15, 2016
Buildings/Housing/Parks

“Why should you never iron a 4-leaf clover?”/“You shouldn’t press your luck.”

A popular St. Patrick's Day joke is: Q: Why should you never iron a 4-leaf clover? A: You don't want to press your luck. The joke has been printed on many images and has been cited in…

December 2, 2017
Buildings/Housing/Parks

“Why was Santa Claus sick?”/“He came down with the flue.”

A Christmas pun has Santa Claus coming down with the flu(e). A riddle was posted on a 1996 book: Q: What sickness did Santa get going down the chimney? A: The flu (flue). "Santa came down with…

August 1, 2017
Buildings/Housing/Parks

“Why was the blonde late for work?”/“She was stranded on the broken escalator.”

A "dumb blonde" joke that involves an escalator is: Q: Why was the blonde late for work?A: She was stranded on the broken escalator. "Why was the stupid man late for work? The…

November 4, 2017
Buildings/Housing/Parks

“Why was the elevator mad?”/“Everyone was pushing its buttons.”

The expression "push someone's buttons" has been used in an elevator joke. "Why was the elevator so cranky? Because everyone was always pushing its buttons" was posted on…

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BARRY POPIK is a contributor to the Oxford English Dictionary, Dictionary of American Regional English, Historical Dictionary of American Slang, Yale Book of Quotations and Dictionary of Modern Proverbs. Since 1990 he has also been a regular contributor to Gerald Cohen's Comments on Etymology.

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