2006-10-01 20:16:47 · 9 answers · asked by Pete L 1 in Entertainment & Music ➔ Jokes & Riddles
to get to the other side
2006-10-01 20:25:20 · answer #1 · answered by not so perfect 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.
2006-10-01 20:47:19 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
OK.I have quite a few answers.Will they work,I don`t know.
1.Because it`s mother was there on the other side.
2.Because you forced it to cross the road and buy chocolates for you.[anything you like]
3.To get to the other side of the road.
It`s a really good question of yours to test the mental ability of riddles!!!!
2006-10-01 21:56:12 · answer #3 · answered by redrose 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He went to the Lemonade Stand. LOL.
2006-10-02 22:27:44 · answer #4 · answered by jfmm 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ummm...........
I can think of a few......
1. to get to the other side
2. because it wanted to
3. because the guy who is telling the joke forced the chicken
2006-10-01 20:56:31 · answer #5 · answered by curtis 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the joke isn't the problem guys..........it's highjack's answer!......who in his/her right mind would go into such detail about a joke? who has that much time to research an answer like that anyway?
2006-10-02 09:00:56 · answer #6 · answered by ecodave 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To prove he was not a "chicken"!
2006-10-02 01:55:13 · answer #7 · answered by Nkaz 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
to peck the hell out of you for telling such a lame joke...
2006-10-01 22:01:25 · answer #8 · answered by heatherlynnmorrow 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
to o get laid i dont know lol
2006-10-01 20:38:25 · answer #9 · answered by bub s 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋