“Why did the skeleton go to the BBQ?”/“He needed some spare ribs!”

“Question: Why did the skeleton go to the barbecue? Answer: He needed some spare ribs!”
 
This joke (cited in print since at least 2000) has appeared in many joke books, especially children’s riddle books. “Barbecue” is sometimes replaced by the skeleton going to a supermarket or a restaurant, or ordering Chinese take-out.
   
 
Google Groups: pdaxs.services.children
Newsgroups: pdaxs.services.children
From: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Date: Wed, 4 Oct 2000 02:03:35 -0400 (EDT)
Local: Wed, Oct 4 2000 1:03 am
Subject: SPOOKTACTULAR FUN
 
What does a skeleton order at a restaurant? Spare ribs…
   
Google Groups: alt.humor.puns
Newsgroups: alt.humor.puns
From: Stan Kegel

Date: Mon, 30 Oct 2000 02:37:02 -0800
Local: Mon, Oct 30 2000 5:37 am
Subject: [Fwd: Submit: Halloween Riddles]
 
What does a skeleton order at a restaurant?
Spare ribs.. (Jakk Bass)
   
14 July 2001, Boston (MA) Globe, “Poor Menu for Heart Makers”:
Q: Why did the skeleton go for a Chinese take-away?
A: Because he needed some spare ribs!
 
Google Books
Kids’ Silliest Riddles
By Jacqueline Horsfall
Illustrated by Buck Jones
Published by Sterling Publishing Company, Inc.
2003
Pg. 55:
What do skeletons order at restaurants?
Spare ribs.
   
Google Books
Spooky Sillies: A Book of Ghost Jokes
By Mark Moore
Illustrated by Anne Haberstroh
Published by Compass Point Books
2004
Pg. 13:
What does a skeleton order to go?
Spare-ribs.
   
Google Books
The Everything Kids’ Gross Joke Book:
Side-splitting jokes that make your skin crawl!
By Aileen Weintraub
Published by Everything Books
2005
Pg. 77:
What did the skeleton buy at the supermarket?
Spare ribs.
     
Hamara Forums
spbobby
Mar 11 2005, 02:57 PM
Q: What does a skeleton orders at a restaurant?
A: Spare ribs!!!
 
Google Books
Puns Spooken Here
By Richard Lederer
Illustrated by Jim McLean
Salt Lake City, UT: Gibbs Smith
2006
Pg. 37:
Q. What’s a skeleton’s favorite food?
A. Spare ribs.
   
From North to South
October 20, 2006
jokes…
Heard these jokes today..thought they were funny..
What did the skeleton say when he drove the motorcycle? Bone to be Wild.
Why did the skeleton go to the BBQ? He needed some spare ribs.
 
The Sarillon Monitor (October 6, 2008)
Q: Whey did the skeleton stop for BBQ.
A: He needed some spare ribs