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February 20, 2018
Media/Newspapers/Magazines/InternetPets (Dogs, Cats, Horses)

“Why can’t cats work on the computer? They get too distracted chasing the mouse around”

A computer "mouse" riddle has been printed on images: Q: Why can't cats work on the computer? A: They get too distracted chasing the mouse around. The joke was posted on Twitter on…

April 10, 2020
Sports/Games

“Why can’t China play cricket?”/“They keep eating their bats.”

The 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic began, according to one theory, when someone in China ate a bat. This has nothing to do with a cricket bat, but there are jokes. "That's why China…

September 12, 2017
Food/Drink

“Why can’t Chinese barbecue?”/“Because the rice falls through the grill.”

A barbecue joke is: Q: Why can't Chinese barbecue?A: Because the rice falls through the grill. The joke -- sometimes regarded as offensive -- has been cited in print since at least 2007.…

April 23, 2016
Food/Drink

“Why can’t diabetics get vengeance?”/“Because vengeance is sweet.”

"Revenge is sweet" is a proverb that dates to at least the 16th century. "Revenge, why can't diabetics get revenge? Because revenge is sweet!!!" was cited on Twitter on…

January 8, 2017
Music/Dance/Theatre/Film/Circus

“Why can’t dogs dance?”/“Because they have two left feet.”

A clumsy dancer is said to have "two left feet." A popular animal riddle (usually about dogs) is: Q: Why can't dogs (four-legged animals) dance?A: Because they have two left feet.…

July 26, 2020
Food/Drink

“Why can’t eggs have love?”/“They will break up too soon.”

An egg riddle is: Q: Why can't eggs have love?A: They will break up too soon. The riddle was posted on Twitter by DadJoke on May 11, 2020. Twitter DadJoke@dadjoke123Why can't eggs have…

April 3, 2024
Media/Newspapers/Magazines/Internet

“Why can’t elephants use computers?”/“Because they’re scared of the mouse.”

"Elephants are scare of mice" is a popular belief. This is used in several riddles (with slight variations) about a computer "mouse." "Why couldnt the elephant use the…

March 4, 2016
Restaurants/Bars/Coffeehouses/Food Stores

“Why can’t Irishmen be lawyers?”/“They can never get past the bar.”

A popular Irish joke is: Q: Why can't Irishmen be lawyers?A: They can never get past the bar. The joke has been cited in print since at least 1999. “An Irishman walks out of a bar” is a…

March 5, 2016
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Why can’t Irishmen be lawyers?”/“They can never get past the bar.”

A popular Irish joke is: Q: Why can't Irishmen be lawyers?A: They can never get past the bar. The joke has been cited in print since at least 1999. “An Irishman walks out of a bar” is a…

May 5, 2016
Sports/Games

“Why can’t New Yorkers play chess?”/“They’re missing two towers.”

A possibly politically incorrect joke about New Yorkers and the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center (also called the "Twin Towers") is: Q: Why can't New Yorkers play…

March 22, 2021
Music/Dance/Theatre/Film/Circus

“Why can’t skeletons play church music?”/“They have no organs.”

A skeleton riddle is: Q: Why don't skeletons play music in church?A: They have no organs. The popular Halloween riddle has been cited in print since at least 1992. The joke was used in the…

April 27, 2017
Food/Drink

“Why can’t someone look at me the same way I look at pizza?”

"Why can't someone look at me the same way I look at pizza?" is a jocular one-line pizza saying that has been printed on many images. The saying was posted on Twitter on December 5,…

March 10, 2016
Banking/Finance/Insurance

“Why can’t you borrow money from a leprechaun?”/“Because they’re always a little short.”

A popular St. Patrick's Day joke is: Q: Why can't you borrow money from a leprechaun?A: Because they're always a little short. The joke has been cited in print since at least 1996.…

May 9, 2019
Media/Newspapers/Magazines/Internet

“Why can’t you get cell phone service when you’re naked? No shirt, no shoes, no service”

Many restaurants have "No Shirt, No Shoes, No Service" signs. "Good thing your phone company doesn't have one of those 'no shirt no shoes no service' signs" was…

June 21, 2015
Exercise/Running/Health Clubs

“Why can’t you run through a campground?” (joke)

"You can't run through a campground. You can only ran because it's past tents" (a pun on "past tense") is a joke that has been printed on posters. "Why can't…

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

“Why can’t you send a duck to space?”/“Because the bill would be astronomical.”

A duck riddle was posted on Reddit -- Dadjokes on December 20, 2021: Q: Why can't you send a duck to space? A: Because the bill would be astronomical. Reddit -- Dadjokes ValHallerie --…

November 4, 2016
Food/Drink

“Why can’t you take a turkey to church?”/“Because they use fowl language.”

A Thanksgiving turkey riddle is: Q: Why can't you take a turkey to church?A: Because they use fowl language. The turkey joke has been cited in print since at least 2002. 29 November 2002,…

August 16, 2022
Work/Businesses

“Why can’t you tell a good joke about retired people?”/“Because none of them work!”

"I know a lot of jokes about retired people, but none of them work" is a jokes that has been printed on several iamges. "I know a lot of jokes about retired people. But none of them…

June 23, 2020
Food/Drink

“Why can’t you trust lemons?”/“Because they’re seedy!”

"Seedy" has a double meaning, and there are several food jokes. "Why does your mom disapprove of sesame bagels? because they're seedy" was posted on Twitter by arleigh on…

January 14, 2020
Food/Drink

“Why can’t you trust tacos?”/“They tend to spill the beans.”

To "spill the beans" means to reveal a secret. A riddle is: Q: Why can’t you trust a taco?A: It might spill the beans. "Q: Why can't you trust tacos? A: They tend to spill 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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