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June 23, 2019
Banking/Finance/Insurance

“What happened to the musician who robbed the bank?”/“He made off with the lute.”

"Lute" (a musical instrument) shouldn't be confused with "loot" (contraband, plunder), but there are jokes. This joke was printed in the Detroit (MI) Free Press on May 25,…

July 12, 2018
Education/Schools

“What happened to the plant in math class?”/“It grew square roots.”

A math riddle has been printed on several images: Q: What happened to the plant in math class?A: It grew square roots. The "square roots" joke has been cited in print since at least 1961.…

January 30, 2017
Restaurants/Bars/Coffeehouses/Food Stores

“What happened when the barman died?”/“The police held an inn-quest.”

A barman riddle is: Q: What happened when the barman died?A: The police held an inn-quest. The joke has been cited in print since at least 2002. Google BooksGoofy Jokes & GigglesBy Charles…

March 6, 2018
Banking/Finance/InsurancePets (Dogs, Cats, Horses)

“What happened when the cat swallowed a coin?”/“There was some money in the kitty!”

A "kitty" can mean a kitten, but it can also mean a money pool. A "kitty" riddle is: Q: What happened when the cat swallowed a coin?A: There was some money in the kitty! The…

September 8, 2017
Music/Dance/Theatre/Film/CircusPets (Dogs, Cats, Horses)

“What happened when the dog went to the flea circus?”/“It stole the show!”

A joke about a flea circus is: Q: What happened when the dog went to the flea circus?A: It stole the show! The joke has been cited in print since at least 1935, when it was credited to New York…

August 1, 2017
Buildings/Housing/Parks

“What happened when the escalator broke down?”/“Everyone stopped and staired!”

An escalator riddle was posted on Reddit -- Jokes on July 31, 2017: Q: What happened when the escalator broke down?A: Everyone stopped and staired. “Escalators don’t break down. They just turn…

November 5, 2016
Food/Drink

“What happened when the turkey got into a fight?”/“He got the stuffing knocked out of him.”

A popular Thanksgiving turkey riddle is: Q: What happened when the turkey got into a fight?A: He got the stuffing knocked out of him. Jokes about a turkey getting "the stuffing knocked…

February 7, 2021
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“What happened when the two bullets got married?”/“They had a BB.”

A riddle about bullets is: Q: What happened when the two bullets got married?A: They had a BB. "BB" sounds like "baby." The joke has been cited in print since at least 1972.…

November 12, 2016
Restaurants/Bars/Coffeehouses/Food Stores

“What happened when the waiter dropped the Thanksgiving meal?” (joke)

If a waiter drops a tray containing a Thanksgiving dinner, it's "the downfall of Turkey, the overthrow of Greece, and the breaking up of China." The joke -- originally not a…

July 27, 2021
Sports/Games

“What happened when two vampires had a race?”/“They finished neck and neck.”

A vampire riddle is: Q: What happened when two vampires had a race?A: They finished neck and neck. 'Neck and neck" is an expression meaning that the race result was very close. "what…

February 20, 2017
Food/Drink

“What happens at a bulimic’s bachelor party?”/“The cake jumps out of the girl.”

A girl inside a cake was a popular surprise at 1950s' bachelor parties. A joke variation is: Q: What happens at a bulimic's bachelor party?A: The cake jumps out of the girl. The joke has…

September 9, 2018
Education/Schools

“What happens if the average number of bullies at a school goes up?”/“The mean increases.”

A riddle about school bullying was posted on Reddit -- Dad Jokes on September 7, 2018: Q: What happens if the average number of bullies at a school goes up?A: The mean increases. The joke also…

May 23, 2022
Education/Schools

“What happens if the average number of bullies at a school goes up?”/“The mean increases.”

"What happens if the average number of bullies at a school goes up? The mean increases" was posted on Reddit -- Dadjokes on September 7, 2018. The word "mean" means…

February 22, 2015
Work/Businesses

“What happens if we invest money to develop our people and they leave?”

A classic business conversation is when the owner or manager (a CEO or a CFO) asks, "What if we train our workers and they leave?" The Human Resources Manager responds, "What if we…

January 1, 2018
Food/Drink

“What happens if you eat yeast and shoe polish?”/“Every morning you’ll rise and shine!”

A popular breakfast riddle is: Q: What happens if you eat yeast and shoe polish?A: Every morning you’ll rise and shine! "The newest is a mixture of yeast and shoe polish for people who want…

May 15, 2020
Food/Drink

“What happens to an egg every time you look at it?”/“It becomes egg sighted.”

An egg riddle was posted on Reddit -- Dadjokes on May 12, 2020: Q: What happens to an egg every time you look at it?A: It becomes egg sighted. "Egg sighted" sounds like…

February 27, 2021
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“What happens to deposed kings?”/“They get throne away.”

A royal riddle is: Q: What happens to deposed kings?A: They get throne away. "Throne away" is a pun on "thrown away." The riddle was posted on the newsgroup rec.humor on August…

July 29, 2021
Time/Weather

“What happens to nitrogen when the sun rises?”/“It becomes daytrogen.”

"Nitrogen" has nothing to do with "night," but there are jokes. This riddle was posted on tumblr on December 21, 2012: Q: What happens to nitrogen when the sun rises?A: It…

July 4, 2021
Time/Weather

“What happens twice in a week, once in a year, and never in a day?” (riddle)

The letter "e" has several riddles. This was printed in The Lady's Magazine in December 1787: "THE beginning of eternity,The end of time and space,The beginning of every end,And…

October 30, 2017
Music/Dance/Theatre/Film/Circus

“What happens when a ghost haunts a theater?”/“The actors get stage fright.”

A theatrical riddle is: Q: What happens when a ghost haunts a theater?A: The actors get stage fright. The popular Halloween joke was printed in many newspapers in 1990. 10 December 1990, Indiana…

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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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