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

March 7, 2017
Radio/Television

“Why should people see bad pictures when they can stay at home and see bad television?”

Jewish Polish American film producer. Samuel Goldwyn, talking about about television's threat to movies, said at a panel discussion at Denver University in September 1950: "Why should…

June 11, 2016
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Why should you be afraid of a white man in prison?” (prison joke)

Black males are disproportionately arrested and jailed in the United States, leading to the prison joke: Q: Why should you be afraid of a white man in prison? A: Because you know he’s guilty.…

December 6, 2021
Hotels

“Why should you enjoy the music at the entrance of a hotel?”/“Because it’s foyer entertainment.”

"For your entertainment" shouldn't be confused with "foyer entertainment," but there are jokes. "What do you call books in the entranceway to a bookstore? Foyer…

June 11, 2020
Sports/Games

“Why should you never fight a dinosaur?”/“You’ll get jurasskicked.”

"Why should you never fight a dinosaur? You'll get jurasskicked" -- a pun on "Jurassic" -- has been printed on many images. “@hippieswordfish: making fun of dinosaurs to…

March 15, 2016
Buildings/Housing/Parks

“Why should you never iron a 4-leaf clover?”/“You shouldn’t press your luck.”

A popular St. Patrick's Day joke is: Q: Why should you never iron a 4-leaf clover? A: You don't want to press your luck. The joke has been printed on many images and has been cited in…

February 9, 2018
Food/Drink

“Why shouldn’t you fall in love with a pastry chef?”/“Because he’ll dessert you.”

A Valentine's Day riddle is told about a pastry chef: Q: Why shouldn’t you fall in love with a pastry chef? A: S/he’ll just dessert you! The joke has been cited in print since at least…

July 22, 2017
Restaurants/Bars/Coffeehouses/Food Stores

“Why shouldn’t you hire a midget chef?”/“The steaks are too high.”

A steaks/stakes pun is: Q: Why shouldn't you hire a midget chef?A: The steaks are too high. "My midget friend wants to be a butcher... honestly though, I think the steaks are too…

May 5, 2019
Food/Drink

“Why shouldn’t you insult an Italian baker?”/“Because he’ll beat the focaccia.”

"Focaccia" is a flat oven-baked Italian bread that sounds a little bit like "fuck out of ya." "Talkin bout my bread, I'll beat the focaccia.…

January 29, 2018
Food/Drink

“Why shouldn’t you put avocados in your eyes?”/“You could get guacoma.”

"Guacoma" is a portmanteau word that can mean a disease from eating too much guacamole (guacamole + coma) or a disease of the eyes caused by guacamole (guacamole + glaucoma).…

January 27, 2018
Food/Drink

“Why shouldn’t you tell a secret in a cornfield?”/“Because the corn has ears.”

A corn riddle is: Q: Why shouldn't you tell a secret in a cornfield?A: Because the corn has ears. The corn pun is an old classic. "Tell not your secrets in a corn-field; it has thousands…

September 8, 2017
Time/Weather

“Why shouldn’t you tell secrets when a clock is around?”/“Because time will tell.”

A clock riddle is: Q: Why shouldn't you tell secrets when a clock is around? A: Because time will tell. The joke has been cited in print since at least 1976. Google BooksBiggest Riddle Book in…

July 13, 2020
Food/Drink

“Why shouldn’t you go into business with a watermelon?”/“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…

October 25, 2020
Music/Dance/Theatre/Film/Circus

“Why shouldn’t you run while playing bagpipes?”/“You could trip and get kilt.”

"Don't run with bagpipes. You could put an aye out. Or worse yet, get kilt" is a pun-filled piece of advice posted on Twitter by Justin Staggs Ⓥ on August 28, 2017.…

April 15, 2017
Food/Drink

“Why shouldn’t you tell an Easter egg a joke?”/“It might crack up.”

An Easter egg riddle is: Q: Why shouldn’t you tell an Easter egg a joke?A: It might crack up! "Why shouldn't you tell a joke to a raw egg?"/"Because it might crack up!"…

July 13, 2020
Food/Drink

“Why shouldn’t you trust watermelons?”/“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…

March 16, 2013
Banking/Finance/Insurance

“Why steal less when you can steal more?”

"Why steal less when you can steal more?" is a tag line by Zero Hedge financial blogger PulauHantu29. On January 12, 2011, he wrote: "Why Steal Less....when you can Steal…

September 6, 2017
Exercise/Running/Health Clubs

“Why the heck do they call it a swimming pool? I mean, it doesn’t even swim!”

A joke on the term "swimming pool" was posted on Reddit -- 3amjokes on September 5, 2017: "Why the heck do they call it a swimming pool? I mean, it doesn't even swim!"…

April 21, 2021
Food/Drink

“Why the heck do underwear and socks come in resealable bags, but potato chips don’t?”

"Why the heck do underwear and socks come in resealable bags, but potato chips don’t?" is a saying that has been printed on several images. "How is socks come in resealable bags…

December 4, 2016
Sports/Games

“Why was Cinderella thrown off the baseball team?”/“Because she ran away from the ball.”

A popular sports riddle involving the folk tale character of Cinderella is: Q: Why was Cinderella thrown off the baseball team?A: Because she ran away from the ball. The joke has been cited in…

November 30, 2021
Food/Drink

“Why was pot roast sad?”/“Bae leaves.”

A "bay leaf" has nothing to do with a "bae," but there are jokes. "Q: What's the most heartbreaking herb? A: Bae leaves" was posted on Twitter by Normal Kane on…

First
Previous
1453 1454 1455 1456 1457
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.