"Why did the chicken cross the road?"

1. 67

   stiggiesposted 10 years ago

   "Why did the chicken cross the road?"
   
   To get to the other side of course but has the humour in this joke vanished because of its fame?

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2. 69

   dashingscorpioposted 10 years ago

   Because that's where the worms were! LOL!
   Yes, very well known jokes often become stale once you get past the childhood years. Having an unpredictable twist or an over the top silly punch line is what makes jokes humorous.
   On the other hand some people have a knack for telling well known jokes and eliciting laughter through the use of their facial expressions, monotone dry wit, or manic physical behavior which can give a tired punch line a fresh zing.
   Then again it doesn't hurt when your audience has been plied with alcohol either! :-)

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   1. 67

      stiggiesposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I think you're right about certain jokes, that having an unpredictable punchline is what adds to the humour. So is the chicken joke no longer a joke because it lost that unpredictable humour?

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   2. 69

      dashingscorpioposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      The chicken joke and other jokes will maintain their humor for those who have yet to hear the joke. Generally speaking it will be children who may not have heard it before so it's (new to them). Much like a lot of those "knock, knock" jokes. :-)

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3. 97

   Rochelle Frankposted 10 years ago

   Yes, it has lost the element of surprise because most people have heard the original standard answer.  If you switch up the answer or give a new one, it can still work.  For instance: "She heard that men were laying bricks on the other side and she wanted to know how they do it."

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4. 60

   Pam Ryanposted 10 years ago

   You people are clearly knowledgeable. I have never heard this joke in any context whatsoever.

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