A university has just published a list of supposedly the world’s oldest jokes . They are not funny, not even close.
But what is interesting is that the very oldest one, going back 4,000 years, uses the word fart. This will come as no surprise to 10-year-old boys, who know that without bodily functions there can be no humor.
The second-oldest joke involves an Egyptian pharaoh and a boatload of nearly nude women. I am not making this up. I suspect archaeologists didn’t even realize it was a joke at all, until they translated the rest of the hieroglyphic on the slab shown here.
“Thanks, you’ve been a wonderful audience. I’ll be here all week. Don’t forget to tip your waitress.”
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Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamun’s canopy coffinette, which originally contained the pharaoh’s stomach, is seen at the opening of an exhibition in Vienna, March 7, 2008. REUTERS/Herwig Prammer
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According to my research, this is the world’s oldest joke (not counting Hef):
“My asp has no nose.”
- Posted by John C Abell“How does it smell?”
“Awful.”
That’s very interesting, John. I have read that the creation of “knock knock” jokes about 3,000 years ago led directly to the invention of doors. Go figure.
- Posted by Robert BaslerThat’s not a fart joke. THIS is a fart joke:
“My grandmother got arrested in the Bass Pro Shops the other day. They accused her of stealing a duck call and some stink bait.”
And did you know that heckling can be traced back to ancient Egypt as well? Statler and Waldorf were there:
“Just when you think this act is awful something wonderful happens.”
- Posted by Krista“What?”
“It ends.”
Those jokes are amazingly bad. I had no idea Will Ferrell was that old.
- Posted by CharleneEgyptian Fartroes?
- Posted by FortunaleeFortuna sent me, she was right !
- Posted by kay leeYou should always listen to Fortuna…
- Posted by Robert BaslerThat mummy looks a lot like a young Rodney Dangerfield, all dressed up. Coincidence? I think not…
- Posted by Dee TEwwwwww, Fortuna, that sphynx to high heaven!!!
- Posted by GreyLensman