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December 4, 2017
Education/Schools

“Why did the teacher write on the window?”/“Because she wanted the lesson to be very clear.”

A school riddle is: Q: Why did the teacher write on the window?A: Because she wanted the lesson to be very clear. "Why did the teacher write on the window? He wanted his lesson to be…

February 7, 2017
Education/Schools

“Why did the vampire flunk art class?”/“He could only draw blood.”

A vampire riddle is: Q: Why did the vampire (Dracula) flunk art class?A: He could only draw blood. The joke has been cited in print since at least 1997. Google BooksWorld's Silliest JokesBy…

December 5, 2017
Education/Schools

“Why didn’t Rudolph get a good report card?”/“Because he went down in History.”

A riddle about Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is: Q: Why didn't Rudolph get a good report card?A: Because he went down in History. The joke is based on the last lyrics to the "Rudolph the…

September 12, 2017
Education/Schools

“Why didn’t the piglets listen to the teacher pig?”/“Because he was an old boar.”

Are teachers boring? One pun is: Q: Why didn't the piglets listen to the teacher pig?A: Because he was an old boar. "Why wouldn't the piglets listen to their father? Because he was…

April 10, 2018
Education/Schools

“Why didn’t the Romans find algebra very difficult?”/“Because X was always 10.”

An algebra riddle has been printed on many images: Q: Why didn't the Romans find algebra very difficult?A: Because X was always 10. "The Romans didn't find algebra very challenging,…

October 30, 2017
Education/Schools

“Why didn’t the skeleton want to go to school?”/“Because his heart wasn’t in it.”

A skeleton riddle is: Q: Why didn't the skeleton want to go to school?A: Because his heart wasn't in it. The Halloween joke has been cited in print since at least 1987. Google…

March 29, 2023
Education/Schools

“Why do Americans fish with a gun?”/“So they get the whole school.”

A riddle about the term "school of fish" and school shootings was posted on Reddit -- Jokes on March 29, 2023: Q: Why do Americans fish with a gun?A: So they get the whole school.…

December 13, 2017
Education/Schools

“Why do chemists like nitrates so much?”/“They’re cheaper than day rates.”

A chemistry riddle is: Q: Why do chemists like nitrates so much?A: They're cheaper than day rates. The "nitrate"/"night rate" pun has been cited in print since at least…

January 30, 2018
Education/Schools

“Why do fish swim in schools?”/“Because they can’t walk in schools.”

A school riddle is: Q: Why do fish swim in schools?A: Because they can't walk in schools. The joke has been cited in print since at least 2004. when it was printed on a Laffy Taffy wrapper.…

October 17, 2025
Education/Schools

“Why do ghosts speak Latin?”/“Because it’s a dead language.”

Latin is often said to be a dead language. Naturally, there's a ghost joke. "Q: Why do ghosts write in Latin? A: It's a dead language. #Halloween #SydesJokes" was posted on…

September 4, 2018
Education/Schools

“Why do people cry on the last day of school? The right time to cry is the first day of school”

"Why do people cry on the last day of school? The right time to cry is the first day of school" (or "You should be crying on the first day of school") is a school saying that…

April 18, 2019
Education/Schools

“Why do we use protractors in geometry?”/“Because amateur tractors don’t know what they’re doing!”

Protractors aren't "professional tractors," but there are jokes. "Protractors $1.99 no word on price for amateur tractors" was posted on Twitter by Nelson on August 23,…

September 20, 2017
Education/Schools

“Why does it take pirates so long to learn the alphabet?”/“Because they can spend years at C.”

A pirate riddle is: Q: Why does it take pirates so long to learn the alphabet? A: Because they can spend years at C! The joke was posted on the website PirateJokes.net on September 12, 2008.…

January 21, 2017
Education/Schools

“Why doesn’t the sun go to college?”/“Because it has a million degrees.”

A pun about "degrees" is: Q: Why doesn't the sun go to college?A: Because it has a million degrees. The riddle was posted on Twitter on August 29, 2009. “My college graduation was…

January 4, 2017
Education/Schools

“Why don’t communists ever learn?”/“Because there are no classes.”

German philosopher and economist Karl Marx (1818-1883), co-author with Friedrich Engels (1820-1895) of The Communist Manifesto (1848), preached a classless society. A riddle was posted to Reddit --…

October 17, 2017
Education/Schools

“Why don’t they allow donkeys in school?”/“Because no one likes a smart ass.”

A school riddle is: Q: Why don't they allow donkeys in school?A: Because no one likes a smart ass. "I know a donkey with an I.Q. of 138! Hasn't got a friend in the world. 'Cause…

May 10, 2016
Education/Schools

“Why is 6 afraid of 7?”/“Because 7 8 9.”

A children's number riddle is: Q: Why is 6 afraid of 7?A: Because 7 8 (ate) 9. The joke has been cited in print since at least 1986. “Why is 6 afraid of 7? Because 7 is a registered 6…

August 22, 2016
Education/Schools

“Why is 6 afraid of 7?”/“Because 7 is a registered 6 offender”

A children’s number riddle is: Q: Why is 6 afraid of 7? A: Because 7 8 (ate) 9. A popular variation is: Q: Why is 6 afraid of 7?A: Because 7 is a registered 6 offender. "Why is 6 afraid of…

January 20, 2023
Education/Schools

“Why is gravity so cheap?”/“Because it’s mass-produced.”

A science riddle is: Q: Why is gravity so cheap?A: Because it's mass produced. The joke was posted on Reddit -- 3amjokes on January 15, 2022. Reddit -- 3amjokesPosted byu/Adghnm January 15,…

February 19, 2018
Education/Schools

“Why is it so easy to get into pirate college?”/“Because you only need the high C’s.”

A pirate riddle was posted on Twitter on March 13, 2012: Q: What grades do you need to get into pirate college? A: Seven C's. A slightly different pirate college riddle was posted on Reddit --…

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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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