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March 21, 2019
Streets

“Why did the homophone cross the rowed?”/“To get to the other sighed.”

"Why did the chicken cross the road?"/"To get to the other side" is a classic riddle from the 19th century. "To get to the other sighed" is a jocular punchline.…

March 8, 2022
Streets

“Why did the illusionist cross the road?”/“He didn’t.”

"Why did the chicken cross the road?"/"To get to the other side" is a classic riddle from the 19th century. An illusionist version is: Q: Why did the illusionist cross the…

October 8, 2017
Streets

“Why did the Jedi cross the road?”/“To get to the Dark Side.”

"Why did the chicken cross the road?"/"To get to the other side" is a classic riddle from the 19th century. A Star Wars version is: Q: Why did the Jedi cross the road?A: To get…

October 19, 2017
Streets

“Why did the Jewish man walk into a stop sign?”/“He wasn’t an observant Jew.”

A non-observant Jew doesn't follow all Jewish laws (such as kosher laws), but it doesn't necessarily mean that a person is not observant to all details. "Has there ever been a joke…

December 23, 2021
Streets

“Why did the Lego cross the road?”/“To get to the other block.”

"Why did the chicken cross the road?"/"To get to the other side" is a classic riddle from the 19th century. A Lego version is: Q: Why did the Lego cross the road?A: To get to…

March 15, 2017
Streets

“Why did the leprechaun cross the road?”/“He wanted to reach the pot of gold faster.”

A leprechaun riddle is: Q: Why did the leprechaun cross the road?A: He wanted to reach the pot of gold faster. The riddle has been cited in print since at least 2003. “When does the leprechaun…

January 7, 2025
Government/Law/Military/Religion /HealthStreets

“Why did the libertarian cross the road?”/“Doesn’t matter. Was a personal choice not subject to government approval or majority rule.”

"Why did the chicken cross the road?"/"To get to the other side" is a classic riddle from the 19th century. A libertarian version is: Q: Why did the libertarian cross the road?…

January 7, 2025
Government/Law/Military/Religion /HealthStreets

“Why did the libertarian cross the road?”/“None of your business. Am I being detained?”

"Why did the chicken cross the road?"/"To get to the other side" is a classic riddle from the 19th century. A libertarian version is: Q: Why did the libertarian cross the road?…

January 7, 2025
Government/Law/Military/Religion /HealthStreets

“Why did the libertarian cross the road?”/“To privatize the other side.”

"Why did the chicken cross the road?"/"To get to the other side" is a classic riddle from the 19th century. A libertarian version is: Q: Why did the libertarian cross the road?…

January 7, 2025
Government/Law/Military/Religion /HealthStreets

“Why did the libertarian cross the road?”/“What road?”

"Why did the chicken cross the road?"/"To get to the other side" is a classic riddle from the 19th century. A libertarian version is: Q: Why did the libertarian cross the road?…

May 14, 2021
Streets

“Why did the lion cross the road?”/“Because he saw a zebra crossing.”

"Why did the chicken cross the road?"/"To get to the other side" is a classic riddle from the 19th century. A lion version is: Q: Why did the lion cross the road?A: Because he…

May 14, 2021
Streets

“Why did the lion cross the road?”/“To get to the other pride.”

"Why did the chicken cross the road?"/"To get to the other side" is a classic riddle from the 19th century. A lion version is: Q: Why did the lion cross the road?A: To get to…

January 10, 2020
Streets

“Why did the medium cross the road?”/“To speak to the other side.”

"Why did the chicken cross the road?"/"To get to the other side" is a classic riddle from the 19th century. A medium version is: Q: Why did the medium cross the road?A: To speak…

October 26, 2016
Streets

“Why did the moron jump from the building?”/“He wanted to make a hit on Broadway.”

"Broadway" often means "show business" rather than just the street itself, but there's an old "Little Moron" riddle from August 1942 that involves both meanings:…

March 9, 2025
Streets

“Why did the narcissist cross the road?”/“It thought it was a boundary.”

"Why did the chicken cross the road?"/"To get to the other side" is a classic riddle from the 19th century. A narcissist version is: Q: Why did the narcissist cross the road? A:…

October 8, 2020
Streets

“Why did the one-handed man cross the road?”/“He wanted to go to a second hand store.”

"Why did the chicken cross the road?"/"To get to the other side" is a classic riddle from the 19th century. A one-handed man version is: Q: Why did the one-handed man cross the…

January 11, 2018
Streets

“Why did the otter cross the road?”/“To get to the otter side.”

"Why did the chicken cross the road?"/"To get to the other side" is a classic riddle from the 19th century. An otter version is: Q: Why did the otter cross the road?A: To get to…

April 19, 2021
Streets

“Why did the pervert cross the road?”/“He got stuck in the chicken.”

"Why did the chicken cross the road?"/"To get to the other side" is a classic riddle from the 19th century. A pervert version (NSFW) is: Q: Why did the pervert cross the road?A:…

November 7, 2020
Streets

“Why did the piano player cross the road?”/“To get to the other stride.”

"Why did the chicken cross the road?"/"To get to the other side" is a classic riddle from the 19th century. A music version is: Q: Why did the piano player cross the road?A: To…

March 6, 2019
Streets

“Why did the politician cross the road?”/“To collect the $300 travel allowance.”

"Why did the chicken cross the road?"/"To get to the other side" is a classic riddle from the 19th century. A politician version was printed in The Globe and Mail (Toronto, ON)…

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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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