3 ms·

Just a reminder that classic joke: "Why did the chicken cross the road?" "To get to the other side!" Is not just a stupid anti-joke about crossing the road,

• happyopossum 4y ago
  That’s likely ret-conning the joke - first, the earliest references (mid 1800s) say “to get on the other side” which doesn’t track to the dark interpretation as well. Also, in the mid 1800s, crossing a road wouldn’t pose any danger to a chicken. A railroad track - yes, a factory floor - sure, but a road? Used mostly for foot or carriage traffic? No danger whatsoever - a chicken can move more than fast enough to get out of the way of even a quickly driven carriage. Third, and most importantly, it was a common minstrel show line, and minstrel shows were filled with anti-humor. Sometimes the easiest and most obvious answer is actually the right one.