The Big Apple
About Archives Categories Index Search
About Archives Categories Index Search

December 30, 2024
Food/Drink

“Why age gracefully when you can age like an old cheese, full of character and slightly offensive”

"Why age gracefully when you can age like an old cheese, full of character and slightly offensive" is a saying that has been printed on many images. "Why age gracefully when you can…

February 23, 2022
Food/Drink

“Why allow yourself to be full of hate, when you can be full of coffee instead?”

"Why allow yourself to be full of hate, when you can be full of coffee instead?" is a coffee saying that has been printed on several images. "Be full of coffee, not hate" has…

February 10, 2023
Food/Drink

“Why are artichokes so beloved?”/“They’re known for their hearts.”

A popular Valentine’s Day riddle is: Q: Why are artichokes so beloved?A: They’re known for their hearts. "Why are artichokes so beloved? They’re known for their hearts" was posted…

November 17, 2025
Food/Drink

“Why are bloody marys the only drink that comes with food garnish? I would enjoy tacos with my margaritas as well”

Only a few alcoholic drinks have a garnish. A Bloody Mary cocktail is often garnished with a celery stalk and a lemon or lime wedge. "Why are bloody marys the only drink that comes with food…

April 3, 2019
Food/Drink

“Why are buffalo wings so small when buffalo are so big?”

"Buffalo wings" are chicken wings that were first popularized in Buffalo, New York. The wings are not from a buffalo animal, but there are jokes. "Why are buffalo wings so small?…

May 22, 2015
Food/Drink

“Why are doctors so afraid of apples, anyway?”

"An apple a day keeps the doctor away" is an old saying. There is a jocular response: "Why are doctors so afraid of apples, anyway?" "Why are doctors afraid of…

December 4, 2019
Food/Drink

“Why are fish easy to weigh?”/“They have their own scales!”

A fish riddle has been cited in print since at least 1983: Q: Why is it easy to weigh a fish?A: Because it has its own scales. “How do you tune a fish?"/"With its scales" is a…

August 24, 2017
Food/Drink

“Why are fishmongers never generous?”/“Because their business makes them sell-fish.”

A fishmonger riddle is: Q: Why is a fishmonger never generous?A: Because his business is sell-fish. The "sell-fish"/"selfish" pun has been cited in print since at least 1879.…

May 20, 2021
Food/Drink

“Why are French snail imports down?”/“Because there is less cargo.”

"Escargot" (French for "snail") is sometimes given the joke "l'ess/less cargo." "Why do the French transport snails without their shells? Less cargo"…

May 20, 2021
Food/Drink

“Why are French snails faster?”/“Less cargo.”

"Escargot" (French for "snail") is sometimes given the joke "l'ess/less cargo." "Why are French snails faster? Less cargo" was posted on Twitter by…

June 11, 2016
Food/DrinkPets (Dogs, Cats, Horses)

“Why are horses always so fit?”/“They’re on a stable diet.”

A popular joke about a "stable diet" is: Q: Why are most horses so slim?A: They are on a stable diet. This joke was cited on Twitter on December 30, 2012. The "stable diet"…

November 14, 2016
Food/Drink

“Why are many umpires fat?”/“Because they always clean their plate.”

Baseball umpires frequently dust off home plate. A baseball riddle is: Q: Why are many umpires fat?A: Because they always clean their plate. The riddle has been cited in print since at least 2006.…

March 11, 2025
Food/DrinkMusic/Dance/Theatre/Film/Circus

“Why are people who play the flute called flautists? Those should be people who make flautas”

"Flauta" (Spanish for "flute") is a Mexican dish. There are, of course, jokes involving flute players, or "flautists." "Why are people who play the flute called…

February 5, 2017
Food/Drink

“Why are pizza slices shaped that way? Do they expect our mouths to get wider after each bite?”

Pizza is usually circular and cut into triangles. "Karen" posted on Twitter on January 29, 2014: "Why are pizza slices shaped that way ?? Do they expect our mouths to get wider after…

July 25, 2018
Food/Drink

“Why are sardines so stupid?”/“They lock themselves in a can and leave the key outside.”

A riddle about sardines is: Q: Why are sardines so stupid?A: They lock themselves in a can and leave the key outside. The joke has been cited in print since at least 1959. 1 February 1959, South…

March 16, 2022
Food/Drink

“Why are so many leprechauns gardeners?”/“Because they have green thumbs.”

There are several St. Patrick's Day riddles about leprechauns having green thumbs. "Riddle of the Day: Why are so many leprechauns florists? #HeritageHealth Answer: They have green…

May 20, 2021
Food/Drink

“Why are the French snails fastest in the world?”/“L’ess cargo.”

"Escargot" (French for "snail") is sometimes given the joke "l'ess/less cargo." "Why are French snails faster? Less cargo" was posted on Twitter by…

September 18, 2017
Food/Drink

“Why are there donut holes, but not bagel holes?”

"If they make donut holes, why don't they make bagel holes?" was posted on Twitter on July 6, 2009. "Why are there donut holes but not bagel holes?" was posted on Reddit --…

December 24, 2016
Food/Drink

“Why are there no jokes about turkey giblets?”/“Because the punchlines are offal.”

A turkey giblets riddle is: Q: Why are there no jokes about turkey giblets?A: Because the punchlines are offal. The riddle has been cited in print since at least December 2013, when it was included…

May 21, 2016
Food/Drink

“Why are there only 239 beans in Irish bean soup?” (joke)

Beans have a reputation of making people fart, and there's a joke: Q: Why are there only 239 beans in Irish bean soup?A (Irish accent): Because one more and it would be too farty. The joke was…

First
Previous
481 482 483 484 485
Next
Last

About the Website and Editor

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.

Read more About the Website and Editor
About
Privacy Policy
RSS

© 2026 Barry Popik. All rights reserved.