Saturday, June 10, 2006
The World's Funniest Joke
"A couple of New Jersey hunters are out in the woods when one of them falls to the ground. He doesn't seem to be breathing, his eyes are rolled back in his head. The other guy whips out his cell phone and calls the emergency services. He gasps to the operator: "My friend is dead! What can I do?" The operator, in a calm soothing voice says: "Just take it easy. I can help. First, let's make sure he's dead." There is a silence, then a shot is heard. The guy's voice comes back on the line. He says: "OK, now what?"
And that, ladies and gentlemen, was officially the world's funniest joke.
Five years ago Professor Richard Wiseman carried out an Internet experiment to find the world's best gag - and after more than 100,000 people around the world cast their vote on 40,000 jokes, that was it.
The gag almost certainly originated from a 1951 Goons sketch written by Spike Milligan.
Professor Wiseman said the joke contained all three elements of what makes a good gag - anxiety, a feeling of superiority, and an element of surprise.
Sometimes, it seems, self help can get carried away!
And that, ladies and gentlemen, was officially the world's funniest joke.
Five years ago Professor Richard Wiseman carried out an Internet experiment to find the world's best gag - and after more than 100,000 people around the world cast their vote on 40,000 jokes, that was it.
The gag almost certainly originated from a 1951 Goons sketch written by Spike Milligan.
Professor Wiseman said the joke contained all three elements of what makes a good gag - anxiety, a feeling of superiority, and an element of surprise.
Sometimes, it seems, self help can get carried away!
