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August 3, 2021
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Why do ants not go to church?”/“Because they’re in sects.”

An ant riddle is: Q: Why do ants not go to church?A: Because they're in sects (insects). The joke has been cited in print since at least 2008. Google Groups: alt.messianicWhere Do Darwinist…

November 27, 2024
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Why do different religions have different Gods but same Devil?”

"Why do religions have different Gods but the same Satan?" is a question that has been printed on many images. "Different religions have different gods but the same Satan. Hmmm"…

April 16, 2025
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Why do doctors only give stickers to kids? Like hello I was also brave today”

"Why do doctors only give stickers to kids? Like hello I was also brave today" (or "IDK why doctors only give stickers to kids? Like hello I was also brave today") is a saying…

January 16, 2021
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Why do people pull their mask down to hear better?”

The 2020 COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic resulted in many people wearing face masks. Some people took off their masks to listen to another person, even though the face masks have nothing to do with…

January 17, 2021
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Why do people pull their mask down to listen better?”

The 2020 COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic resulted in many people wearing face masks. Some people took off their masks to listen to another person, even though the face masks have nothing to do with…

February 9, 2017
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Why do pirates make great lawyers?”/“Because they’re very skilled at arrrrrguing.”

Entry in progress -- B.P. TwitterMikey Henderson‏@fiddlermikey#TLAPD @5EH Why do pirates make good lawyers? Because they love to ARRRgue9:26 PM - 6 Aug 2009 TwitterRyan in…

March 2, 2024
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Why do police drive around looking for crime?”

Police cars drive around the neighborhood, but fire trucks usually do not. "When's the last time you seen a fire truck driving around looking for fire? So why do police drive around…

February 4, 2016
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Why do police officers speed?”/“Because they can.”

Police vehicles often go beyond the speed limit, and it's not clear if there is an emergency. There's a joke about this: Q: Why do police officers speed?A: Because they can. Who will give…

September 13, 2016
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Why do politicians take laxatives?”/“So they can speak more fluently.”

There's a joke for those who believe that politicians are full of crap: Q: Why do politicians take laxatives?A: So they can speak more fluently. The joke was posted on Reddit on July 19, 2016,…

November 27, 2024
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Why do religions have different Gods but the same Satan?”

"Why do religions have different Gods but the same Satan?" is a question that has been printed on many images. "Different religions have different gods but the same Satan. Hmmm"…

June 20, 2016
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Why do riot police get to work early?”/“To beat the crowd.”

A pun is told about riot police: Q: Why do riot police get to work early?A: To beat the crowd. A form of the joke existed in California after the police beating of Rodney King (1965-2012) on March…

June 1, 2016
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Why do the French have so many civil wars?”/“So that they can win one.”

France has been invaded several times and there's a classic war joke: Q: Why do the French have so many civil wars?A: So that they can win one. English actor and comedian John Cleese (a…

October 14, 2017
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Why do the Japanese smoke before overthrowing the government?”/“They love haikus.”

"High coup" sounds like "haiku." "The haiku is a high coup" was posted on Twitter on March 10, 2011. "Japanese army, overthrows the government. It was a high…

April 9, 2022
Government/Law/Military/Religion /HealthPets (Dogs, Cats, Horses)

“Why do the police use drug-sniffing dogs rather than sober ones?”

The term "drug-sniffing dog" means that the dog sniffs to detect drugs, not that the dog is addicted to drugs. "Why do the police use those drug-sniffing dogs instead of the sober…

September 14, 2017
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Why do they call guns arms and arms guns?”

A gun is a "firearm," or "arms" in the plural. "Guns" is slang for "biceps." A popular question is: "Why do they call guns arms and arms guns?"…

March 25, 2020
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Why do they call it the novel coronavirus? It’s a long story…”

The 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic used the term "novel coronavirus." "Rey: Why do they call it the 'novel' coronavirus? Han: It’s a long story" was posted on…

June 15, 2022
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Why do they say ‘amen’ instead of ‘awomen’ at the end of songs?”/“Because they’re hymns, not hers.”

A joke about "amen" and "awomen" and "hymns" and "hers" was printed in the Boston (MA) Transcript in September 1927 and reprinted in many newspapers: "I…

July 17, 2017
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Why do they use sterilized needles for death by lethal injection?”

"Why do they use sterilized needles for death by lethal injection?" is a popular question that has been printed on an image. The question was posted on the newsgroup alt.fan.cecil-adams…

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"…

April 22, 2015
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Why do we kill people who kill people to show that killing people is wrong?”

"Why do we kill people who kill people to show that killing people is wrong?" is an anti-death penalty statement that has been printed on many posters, buttons and bumper stickers. The…

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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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