2006-09-11 21:32:05 · 35 answers · asked by Anonymous in Entertainment & Music ➔ Jokes & Riddles
To get to the other side . . . Duh : )
2006-09-11 21:33:22 · answer #1 · answered by ♥ Love Angel Music Baby 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"Why did the chicken cross the road?" is one of the most famous jokes in the English language. The original reply to the question is: "To get to the other side." It is a non-joke, since its humor value comes from the fact that it is expected to be funny. Additionally, it is rarely told on its own, but instead is referenced, modified, or parodied in a number of other jokes.
Origin
Despite the obvious meaning of the joke, various stories have been published claiming a specific origin for it in actual events.
One such story relates to the meaning of the word chicken as a cowardly person. As the story goes, the town of Shiprock, New Mexico had problems relating to poverty. Some of the poor children would get drunk and cross the road in order to show their bravery. Many times, this resulted in serious injury because of oncoming traffic, and sometimes even death. Knowing that the injured/dead person was a coward (chicken), people asked each other "Why did the chicken cross the road?" The original answer to this question was then "Because he was drunk." [1]
This story, although similar to the present-day joke, does have its validity problems. The original punch line had no resemblence to the present day punch line. Also, the word 'chicken' has multiple definitions, whereas 'coward' or other synonyms only have one. Given that, it seems much more likely that the word 'chicken' would stop being used after the event would occur. However, the original punch line was a direct answer to the question given, as is today's punch line. The difference is, today's punch line is in the form of a non-joke, but the original was not intended to be humorous. Although this is the best explanation we have for the origin, nobody truly knows.
2006-09-14 04:14:43 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
To get away from the cook. The chicken knew a place on the side of the road where she could hide. Been there loads of times. Called KFC.
2006-09-12 00:30:45 · answer #3 · answered by gr_bateman 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The chicken crossed the road so he could get away from all the stupid chicks.
2006-09-11 21:35:38 · answer #4 · answered by Amy J 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The museum of natural history was on the other side, and he needed to find out if the egg came before the chicken.
2006-09-11 21:34:56 · answer #5 · answered by gnomus12 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because the external influences, which had pervaded its sensorium from birth, had caused it to develop in such a fashion that it would tend to cross roads, even while believing these actions to be of its own freewill.
2006-09-11 21:36:18 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
to get to the other side....
the question should be why did the frog cross the road? ...because he was stapled to the chicken.
2006-09-11 21:34:09 · answer #7 · answered by gromitski 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because the road was clear both ways,
and he needed to use the cash-machine on the other side.
2006-09-11 23:47:54 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No , why, do you know why he crossed the road?
2006-09-14 13:20:39 · answer #9 · answered by Mrs Chicagosgirl!! 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
maybe a utility company had the road up on his side and he had to cross?
2006-09-11 21:50:39 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
who cares why he crossed the road. The question should be who let the bugger out his pen
2006-09-11 21:58:13 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋