“Why did the clock get kicked out of the library?”/“It tocked too much.”
A clock riddle is:
Q: Why did the clock get kicked out of the library?
A: It tocked (talked) too much.
The punchline “It tocked too much” has been cited in print since at least 1970 and 1984.
Newspapers.com
19 October 1970, Daily News (New York, NY), “On the Town” by Charles McHarry, pg. 57, col. 2:
Singer-actress Laura Greene just returned her Martha Mitchell watch. It tocked too much.
Google Books
The Zaniest Riddle Book in the World
By Joseph Rosenbloom
New York, NY: Sterling Publishing Company, Inc.
1984
Pg. 93:
Why wasn’t the clock allowed in the library?
It tocked too much.
1 September 1992, Fort Worth (TX) Star-Telegram, “Raps, Rhymes and Riddles,” pg. G15, col. 3:
Q: Why didn’t the teacher let the clock stay in the classroom?
A: It tocked too much.
Meredith Watson, 10
Soutshide Elementary
Google Groups: alt.humor.puns
Puns of the Weak 09-29-03
Stan Kegel
8/29/03
(...)
Why was the clock banned from the library?
Because it tocked too much. (Mighty Funnies: Betty Debnam)
Google Groups: alt.humor.puns
Kids Puns of the Weak 12-28-04
Stan Kegel
12/27/04
(...)
Why was the clock banned from the library?
Because it tocked too much. (Mighty Funnies: Betty Debnam)
Twitter
Nick Nash
@Bright_Sorcerer
Why was the clock thrown out of the library? Because it tocked too much.
2:10 AM · Jun 3, 2009·Twitter Web Client
Twitter
Daily Groaner
@DailyGroaner
Q: Why was the clock banned from the library? A: Because it tocked too much. #jokes #humor #funny
3:55 PM · Sep 16, 2010·Twitter Web Client
Google Books
The Happy Classroom:
From Ha-Ha to A-Ha
By Janet Aaker Smith
Marion, IL: Pieces of Learning
2011
Pg. 84:
Why was the school clocked punished?
Because it tocked too much.
Twitter
Kaspoiler
@Thuxedo
Why did the clock get kicked out of the classroom? It tocked too much… #LameJokes
7:59 AM · Jul 27, 2011·Azurea
Reddit—Jokes
Posted by u/winterjam010 September 25, 2015
Why did the clock get banned from the library?
It tocked too much
Reddit—3amjokes
Posted by u/juhaodbrokule December 9, 2019
Why did the clock get kicked out of the library?
It tocked too much