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October 2, 2022
Food/Drink

“Why do they call it Scotch tape if it doesn’t taste like Scotch?”

There is no Scotch whisky in scotch tape, but there are jokes. "Scotch tape doesn't taste like scotch. NOT EVEN A LITTLE BIT" was posted on Twitter by Joey Headset on February 2,…

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…

August 24, 2021
Buildings/Housing/Parks

“Why do they call them lifts in the UK & elevators in the US?”/“Because we’re raised differently.”

Why does one country use the term "lifts" and another country use the term "elevators"? "In the UK we call them lifts but in the US they call them elevators, because…

August 28, 2012
Banking/Finance/Insurance

“Why do they put Braille dots on the keypad of the drive-up ATM?”

"Why do they put Braille dots on the keypad of the drive-up ATM?" is a question (cited in print since at least April 1994) that has made many lists of humorous questions. The answer is…

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"…

November 6, 2016
Food/Drink

“Why do turkeys always go ‘Gobble! Gobble!’?”/“Because they never learned good table manners.”

A popular Thanksgiving turkey riddle is: Q: Why do turkeys always go "Gobble! Gobble!"?A: Because they never learned good table manners. The "gobble" joke has been cited in…

August 10, 2017
Transportation

“Why do Uber drivers skip the gym?”/“Because they aren’t trying to Lyft.”

A joke about the transportation companies Uber and Lyft is: Q: Why do Uber drivers skip the gym?A: Because they aren't trying to Lyft. The joke was posted on Twitter on July 26, 2017.…

August 10, 2017
Exercise/Running/Health Clubs

“Why do Uber drivers skip the gym?”/“Because they aren’t trying to Lyft.”

A joke about the transportation companies Uber and Lyft is: Q: Why do Uber drivers skip the gym?A: Because they aren't trying to Lyft. The joke was posted on Twitter on July 26, 2017.…

October 30, 2018
Food/Drink

“Why do vampires drink blood?”/“Because coffee keeps them awake all day!”

A vampire riddle has been cited in print since at least 1990: Q: Why do vampires drink blood?A: Because root beer makes them burp. A different punchline has been cited in at least 1998: Q: Why do…

October 30, 2018
Food/Drink

“Why do vampires drink blood?”/“Root beer makes them burp.”

A vampire riddle has been cited in print since at least 1990: Q: Why do vampires drink blood?A: Because root beer makes them burp. A different punchline has been cited in at least 1998: Q: Why do…

April 24, 2018
Food/Drink

“Why do vegetarians like parallel lines?”/“Because they don’t meat.”

A vegetarian riddle is: Q: Why do vegetarians like parallel lines?A: Because they don’t meat (meet). "HAHA parallel lines are vegetarians, there lines DO NOT MEAT" was posted on Twitter…

January 17, 2015
Food/Drink

“Why do we bake cookies and cook bacon?”

"Why do we bake cookies and cook bacon?" is a jocular one-liner that has been cited in print since at least 2006. It's not known who first used the line. Geeks to Go…

December 3, 2022
Food/Drink

“Why do we call them olives and not Greece’s Pieces?”

"why do we call them olives and not Greece’s pieces" was posted on Twitter by Kerry on Wayward Son on August 17, 2020, and the tweet received over 38,200 likes. "Greece's…

April 21, 2019
Food/Drink

“Why do we color Easter eggs?”/“Because Jesus dyed for your sins.”

A riddle about Easter eggs is: Q: Why do we color Easter eggs?A: Because Jesus dyed for your sins. "Always remember, Jesus dyed Easter eggs for your sins" was posted on Twitter by Zac…

September 15, 2021
Food/Drink

“Why do we drink water?”/“Because we can’t eat it.”

A riddle about water is: Q: Why do we drink water?A: Because we can't eat it. The question is often asked by a teacher and answered by a student. The riddle has been cited in print since at…

September 16, 2012
Streets

“Why do we drive on the parkway and park on the driveway?”

"Why do we drive on the parkway and park on the driveway?" is a jocular question that has been cited in print since at least 1974, when this was printed in the Washington (DC) Post on…

December 20, 2021
Food/Drink

“Why do we have applesauce and mashed potatoes and not mashed apples and potatosauce?”

Mashed apples are called "apple sauce" (or "applesauce"), but mashed potatoes are not called "potato sauce" (or "potatosauce"). Also, there are "mashed…

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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