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May 21, 2019
Education/Schools

“Why did the amoeba flunk the math test?”/“Because it multiplied by dividing.”

A math riddle is: Q: Why did the amoeba flunk the math test? A: Because it multiplied by dividing. The joke has been cited in print since at least 2006. Google Books777 Great Clean JokesBy Jennifer…

December 1, 2021
Education/Schools

“Why did the bacterium fail its math class?”/“Because it multiplies when it divides.”

"Bacteria defies the laws of Mathematics. It 'multiplies' when it 'divides' #OMGFacts" was posted on Twitter by Saimah on April 13, 2010. "Bacteria multiply when…

July 7, 2016
Education/Schools

“Why did the biology students almost fail?”/“They were bio-D-grade-able.”

A biology class pun is: Q: Why did the biology students almost fail?A: They were bio-D-grade-able. "You're not biodegradable, but you are bio-D-grade-able!" was cited on Twitter on…

August 21, 2016
Education/Schools

“Why did the boy eat his homework?”/“Because his teacher told him it was a piece of cake.”

Something that is a "piece of cake" is something that is easy or simple. There's a school joke: Q: Why did the boy eat his homework?A: Because his teacher told him it was a piece of…

October 30, 2016
Education/Schools

“Why did the chicken cross the playground?”/“To get to the other slide.”

"Why did the chicken cross the road?"/"To get to the other side" is a classic riddle from the 19th century. A playground variation is: Q: Why did the chicken cross the…

March 17, 2016
Education/Schools

“Why did the child study in the airplane?”/“He wanted a higher education.”

A joke was told about "higher education: in 1991: Q: Why did the little moron take a ladder to school?A: He wanted to get a higher education! The "ladder" was changed to an…

March 3, 2017
Education/Schools

“Why did the cross-eyed teacher lose her job?”/“She couldn’t control her pupils.”

A schoolteacher pun about "pupils" is: Q: Why did the cross-eyed teacher loser her job?A: She couldn't control her pupils. The joke has been cited in print since at least 1942 and…

October 29, 2016
Education/Schools

“Why did the Cyclops give up teaching?”/“He only had one pupil.”

A Cyclops riddle is: Q: Why did the Cyclops give up teaching?A: He only had one pupil. The joke has been cited in print since at least 1980. “Why did the cross-eyed teacher lose her…

March 25, 2016
Education/Schools

“Why did the feminist fail algebra?”/“She couldn’t solve inequalities.”

A mathematics joke involving equalities is: Q: Why did the feminist fail algebra?A: She couldn't solve inequalities. The joke was first cited on reddit on August 18, 2015. Wikipedia:…

January 11, 2021
Education/Schools

“Why did the oven go back to University?”/“To get another degree.”

An oven riddle was posted on Reddit -- Jokes on August 31, 2014: Q: Why did the oven go back to University?A: To get another degree. The joke was the "Laugh of the Day" on…

October 2, 2016
Education/Schools

“Why did the physics teacher break up with the biology teacher?”/“There was no chemistry.”

A school science joke is: Q: Why did the physics teacher break up with the biology teacher?A: There was no chemistry. The joke was posted on Twitter on September 3, 2010 and has been printed on…

April 10, 2018
Education/Schools

“Why did the piglets do badly in school?”/“They were all slow loiners.”

A piglet riddle is: Q: Why did the piglets do badly in school?A: They were all slow loiners. The "loiners"/"learners" pun was posted on Twitter on December 14, 2009.…

September 20, 2017
Education/Schools

“Why did the pirate go to college?”/“To become an arrrrrrchitect!”

A pirate riddle is: Q: Why did the pirate go to college?A: To become an arrrrrrchitect! "What’s a pirate’s second-choice job? An arrrrrrchitect!" has been cited in print since at…

June 19, 2017
Education/Schools

“Why did the slave go to college?”/“So he could pick up his Master’s degree.”

A riddle about the Master's degree is: Q: Why did the slave go to college?A: So he could pick up his Master's degree. The joke was posted on Reddit -- Jokes on June 18, 2017. Reddit --…

March 17, 2016
Education/Schools

“Why did the student bring scissors to school?”/“He wanted to cut class.”

One children's pun about school is: Q: Why did the student bring scissors to school?A: He wanted to cut class. The joke has been cited in print since at least 2005. 2 February 2005, Los…

February 19, 2024
Education/Schools

“Why did the students flunk the final exam at the Magician’s School?”/“They were all trick questions.”

A "trick question" shouldn't be confused with a question about tricks, but there are jokes. "Why did the students flunk the final exam at the Magician's School? They were…

July 2, 2023
Education/Schools

“Why did the teacher go to the beach?”/“To test the water.”

"Test the water" usually means to see if the water is too hot or cold to swim in. There is a popular joke involving teachers. "Q: Why did the teacher go to the beach? A: He wanted to…

May 28, 2017
Education/Schools

“Why did the teacher have her hair in a bun?”/“Because she had her nose in a hamburger.”

A hamburger riddle is: Q: Why did the teacher have her hair in a bun?A: Because she had her nose in a hamburger. The hamburger joke has been cited in print since at least 2000. Google Books1001…

July 2, 2023
Education/Schools

“Why did the teacher jump in the lake?”/“She wanted to test the waters.”

"Test the water" usually means to see if the water is too hot or cold to swim in. There is a popular joke involving teachers. "Q: Why did the teacher go to the beach? A: He wanted to…

July 2, 2023
Education/Schools

“Why did the teacher jump in the pool?”/“She wanted to test the water.”

"Test the water" usually means to see if the water is too hot or cold to swim in. There is a popular joke involving teachers. "Q: Why did the teacher go to the beach? A: He wanted to…

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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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