“Why do people carry umbrellas?”/“Because umbrellas can’t walk.”

An umbrella riddle is:
 
Q: Why do people carry umbrellas?
A: Because umbrellas can’t walk.
 
The riddle was printed in many newspapers in 1986.
   
   
21 January 1986, Morning Advocate (Baton Rouge, LA), “A Little Bit of Humor,” The Bubble Gum Rapper, pg. 1, col. 3:
Sherry: Why do people carry umbrellas?
Jerry: Because umbrellas can’t walk.
 
Google Books
Dinosaur Jokes
By Laura Alden
Chicago, IL: Child’s Press
1988
Pg. 22:
Why do dinosaurs carry umbrellas?
Because umbrellas can’t walk.
   
Google Books
Heart to Heart
By Elise Title
New York, NY: Harlequin Books
1994
Pg. 142:
“Why is it folks carry umbrellas?” He looked expectantly from Brody to Kate, then back to Brody again.
 
“Gee, Carl, I don’t know,” Brody said. “Because it’s raining.”
 
“Naw,” the coach said with a broad grin. “Because umbrellas can’t walk.”
     
12 November 1996, Chicago (IL) Tribune, “Playing Around,” pg. 9:
Why do people carry umbrellas?
Because umbrellas can’t walk.
 
Google Books
Weather Wise!
By Robynne Eagan and Tracey Ann Schofield
Carthage, IL: Teaching and Learning Company
1997
Pg. 88:
Q: Why do people carry umbrellas when it rains?
A: Because umbrellas can’t walk!
 
Google Books
The Activity Year Book:
A Week by Week Guide for Use in Elderly Day and Resiidential Care
By Anni Bowden and Nancy Lewthwaite
London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers
2009
Pg. 112:
umbrella (Why do city gents carry umbrellas? Because they can’t walk!)
 
Twitter
Andrew Lim
‏@kooshlim
Why do people carry umbrellas?.........Because umbrellas can’t walk! Ta-daaaa. Drum rolllllll
10:28 AM - 9 Dec 2010
 
Reddit—Jokes
Why do the English always carry umbrellas?
submitted December 15, 2015 by PoetWithAPoem
Because umbrellas can’t walk