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December 2, 2017
Buildings/Housing/Parks

“Why was Santa Claus sick?”/“He came down with the flue.”

A Christmas pun has Santa Claus coming down with the flu(e). A riddle was posted on a 1996 book: Q: What sickness did Santa get going down the chimney? A: The flu (flue). "Santa came down with…

November 27, 2017
Work/Businesses

“Why was Santa’s little helper depressed?”/“Because he had low elf esteem.”

A Christmas riddle is: Q: Why was Santa's little helper depressed?A: Because he had low elf esteem. The low "elf" esteem pun (on "self" esteem) has been cited in print…

January 19, 2022
Exercise/Running/Health Clubs

“Why was Sarah smiling at the gym?”/“Because Sarah-tonin.”

A woman named Sarah might be toning at the gym. This should not be confused with "serotonin," but there are "Sarah Tonin" jokes. "What do you call a female biologist who…

April 16, 2016
Work/Businesses

“Why was the blonde late for work?”/“She was stranded on the broken escalator.”

A "dumb blonde" joke that involves employment is: Q: Why was the blonde late for work?A: She was stranded on the broken escalator. "Why was the stupid man late for work? The…

August 1, 2017
Buildings/Housing/Parks

“Why was the blonde late for work?”/“She was stranded on the broken escalator.”

A "dumb blonde" joke that involves an escalator is: Q: Why was the blonde late for work?A: She was stranded on the broken escalator. "Why was the stupid man late for work? The…

December 27, 2016
Education/Schools

“Why was the cannibal expelled from school?”/“Because he was buttering up his teacher.”

A popular "cannibal in school" riddle is: Q: Why was the cannibal expelled frm school?A: Because he was buttering up his teacher. The cannibal jokehas been cited in print since at least…

January 10, 2018
Food/DrinkPets (Dogs, Cats, Horses)

“Why was the cannibal looking peeky?”/“Because he had just eaten a Chinese dog.”

A cannibal riddle is: Q: Why was the cannibal looking peeky?A: Because he had just eaten a Chinese dog. That would probably be a Pekingese to make the cannibal feel "peeky." The joke has…

March 16, 2018
Food/DrinkPets (Dogs, Cats, Horses)

“Why was the cat so small?”/“Because it only ate condensed milk.”

A milk riddle is: Q: Why was the cat so small? A: Because it only ate condensed milk. The "condensed milk" joke has been cited in print since at least 2003. Google BooksNoah's…

July 16, 2020
Education/Schools

“Why was the circle depressed?”/“She thought her life was pointless.”

A circle riddle is: Q: Why was the circle depressed?A: She thought her life was pointless. "'Everything just seems so pointless' - depressed circle" was posted on Twitter by…

September 14, 2017
Media/Newspapers/Magazines/Internet

“Why was the computer mad when he got home?”/“Because he had a hard drive.”

A computer riddle is: Q: Why was the computer mad when he got home?A: Because he had a hard drive. The joke was posted on Twitter on September 12, 2014, and on Reddit -- Jokes on September 15,…

December 1, 2022
Time/Weather

“Why was the doorway so embarrassed?”/“It saw the weather stripping.”

"Weatherstripping" shouldn't be confused with "weather stripping," but there are jokes. "Why did the window pane blush?............... Because it saw the Weather…

November 4, 2017
Buildings/Housing/Parks

“Why was the elevator mad?”/“Everyone was pushing its buttons.”

The expression "push someone's buttons" has been used in an elevator joke. "Why was the elevator so cranky? Because everyone was always pushing its buttons" was posted on…

June 8, 2021
Exercise/Running/Health Clubs

“Why was the farmer arrested at the gym?”/“He was destroying his calves.”

A gym riddle is: Q: Why was the farmer arrested at the gym?A: He was destroying his calves. "Did you hear about the farmer? He was arrested for destroying his calves in the gym....JOKE…

May 10, 2016
Food/Drink

“Why was the feminist picnic cancelled?”/“Because nobody made sandwiches.”

A popular "politically incorrect" joke is told about feminists and preparing food: Q: Why was the feminist picnic cancelled?A: Because nobody made sandwiches. "That awkward moment at…

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

“Why was the lawyer home early?”/“Briefcase.”

A lawyer riddle was posted on Reddit -- Jokeson October 19, 2016: Q: Why was the lawyer home early?A: Briefcase. "Briefcase" is a pun meaning that the lawyer had a "brief case."…

April 13, 2017
Exercise/Running/Health Clubs

“Why was the little girl sad after the race?”/“Because an egg beater.”

An egg riddle (popular at Easter) is: Q: Why was the little girl sad after the race?A: Because an egg beater. The joke has been cited in print since at least 2010. Its All HumorWednesday, March 31,…

February 2, 2017
Education/Schools

“Why was the math book sad?”/“Because it had so many problems.”

A math riddle has been printed on several images: Q: Why was the math book sad?A: Because it had so many problems. The riddle was printed in many newspapers in 1987. “I’m not sure how many…

October 16, 2016
Education/Schools

“Why was the math teacher late for school?”/“He took the rhombus.”

The math term "rhombus" sounds like "wrong bus," and there's a pun: Q: Why was the math teacher late for school?A: He took the rhombus. "Rhombus. Wrong bus?" was…

October 28, 2019
Education/Schools

“Why was the music teacher angry?”/“Because the kids were always passing notes.”

A music teacher riddle was posted on Twitter by LITTLE MISS PATATAS on June 18, 2010: Q: Why was the music teacher angry? A: Because the kids were always passing notes. The joke has also been…

May 6, 2017
Work/Businesses

“Why was the Pepsi employee fired?”/“He tested positive for Coke.”

Pepsi and Coke are rival soft drink companies. A drug testing riddle is: Q: Why was the Pepsi employee fired?A: He tested positive for Coke. The joke has been cited in print since at least 2003 and…

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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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