Posted on 03/22/2009 4:44:11 PM PDT by nickcarraway
Scientists have explained why the best jokes are the hardest to remember, while the worst are easily called to mind.
The greatest jokes work by subverting usual thought patterns, making them less memorable but funnier, according to new research.
A final twist and surprise in the joke makes us remember the punchline, but forget the run-up to the gag.
In contrast, the structure and punchlines of cliched gags are so predictable it makes them easy to recall.
Robert Provine, professor of psychology at Maryland University, who is writing a book on laughter, said: "What makes a joke successful is also what makes it difficult to remember. The punch line involves an unexpected turn.
"If someone tells you a list of flowers, like roses, daffodils, petunias and brick. That was unexpected and funny. You remember 'brick', but not probably the correct list of flowers."
Prof Provine believes that good jokes work in the opposite way to a poem or piece of music.
He said: "It's easier to follow a song because it has rhyme and rhythm. I hear a good joke but usually I can't remember all of it."
(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...
Walk him and pitch to the Rhino
Was this study funded with the Stimulus?
Won’t forget that one.
What did the fish say when he hit the cement wall? Dam!
Nah. The best joke in the world is this one”
Q. Why did the monkey fall out of the tree?
A. Because he was dead.
Works great with kids - monkeys are always a funny topic.
Two blonds walk into a bar....You’d think one of them would of seen it?
Obama is the best president we have ever had.
His jokes are awful. And that's why I love him. :)
(and the fact that he was a WWII POW)
Obama’s gonna pay my mortgage!
What do you call cheese that belongs to someone else?
Nacho cheese.
I’ve always wanted to write a book called, “This Joke is Funny Because . . . ,” Analyzing jokes to death. And . . . I’ve also considered being a door to door salesman selling “No Soliciting” signs.
Who has bigger balls, policemen or firemen?
Firemen, they sell more tickets.
Scares the s#it out of the dogs
I kinda thought this administration would be hard to forget.
Why was Helen Kellers leg yellow?
Her dog was blind too...
Thank you, I am here all week, dont forget to tip your waitress....
Laughter as a Science: Eight Ways To Our Funny Bone
chattahbox.com/science | March 21, 2009
Posted on 03/22/2009 3:18:06 PM PDT by JoeProBono
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2212244/posts
If you rape a deaf girl break her fingers so she can’t tell anybody
ping jokes
Then there are the tasteless jokes you kinda feel bad about for laughing at them. I still remember the 1986 Challenger jokes. What did the sharks eat? Launch meat. What did Christa McAuliffe tell her husband before she left? “You feed the dogs, I’ll feed the fish”. (For N.E. Patriots fans): What did the shuttle flight have in common with Super Bowl XX? They were both good for about 86 seconds. Why do they serve Coke at NASA? Because they couldn’t get “Seven Up”
Groooooan...sorry
Sometimes humor can get us through tough times. Hawkeye on MASH said he cracked jokes because it was better to laugh than scream.
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