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1. A critical lesson in humor: Not all jokes take the form, "Why did the chicken cross the road?" It may not be the first principle, in general terms, but it begins most lessons in humor around here.
2. Another critical lesson in humor: If a particular audience does not find a particular joke funny, stop telling them the joke. Repetition will not enlighten them, nor make the joke funny.
3. Some jokes are only funny to people who have read certain books.
Why did Emily Dickenson cross the road?
Because she would not stop for death.
This is much less amusing for those who have never heard of Emily Dickenson. Or never heard of her doing anything other than crossing the road, which may be worse.
And then there's Quack Aubrey, Duckling O'War, with whom I have Adventures on the Very Low Seas. This conceit is less amusing to those who have never read the McCloskey classic, nor seen Quack lined up with his brother officers (Jack, Kack, Lack, Mack, Nack, Ouack, and Pack, presumably. Though the toy store did not name them individually), all looking remarkably ineffectual with their shields and battle-axes and quizzical expressions under hornless helmets.
4. Why do all rubber duckies have to be that bright yellow, when no real ducks are that color? Is this another joke?
5. Why did the chicken cross the road? Because it was wearing eyeglasses! (This one is still looking for a context or an audience where it will be funny.) And the local preschooler is hoping repetition will make it funny to someone other than herself. She continues to think it hilarious.
6. Why did Quack Aubrey cross the road? (See also 1.)
2. Another critical lesson in humor: If a particular audience does not find a particular joke funny, stop telling them the joke. Repetition will not enlighten them, nor make the joke funny.
3. Some jokes are only funny to people who have read certain books.
Because she would not stop for death.
This is much less amusing for those who have never heard of Emily Dickenson. Or never heard of her doing anything other than crossing the road, which may be worse.
And then there's Quack Aubrey, Duckling O'War, with whom I have Adventures on the Very Low Seas. This conceit is less amusing to those who have never read the McCloskey classic, nor seen Quack lined up with his brother officers (Jack, Kack, Lack, Mack, Nack, Ouack, and Pack, presumably. Though the toy store did not name them individually), all looking remarkably ineffectual with their shields and battle-axes and quizzical expressions under hornless helmets.
4. Why do all rubber duckies have to be that bright yellow, when no real ducks are that color? Is this another joke?
5. Why did the chicken cross the road? Because it was wearing eyeglasses! (This one is still looking for a context or an audience where it will be funny.) And the local preschooler is hoping repetition will make it funny to someone other than herself. She continues to think it hilarious.
6. Why did Quack Aubrey cross the road? (See also 1.)
