In 2001, scientists conducted a fairly original experiment to try to figure out the funniest joke in the world. A priori, it should at least make you smile…
Humor is personal, as everyone knows. But is there an objectively funny valve that makes people from different countries and social backgrounds laugh? To find out, a psychology professor joined forces with a team of scientists to… Find the funniest joke on earth.
“There is the good, and there is the evil hunter…”
But what is this famous joke that is (almost) sure to be fun? There is no need to extend the duration of the suspension:
Two New Jersey hunters were in the woods when one suddenly collapsed. He doesn’t seem to be breathing, his eyes are rolling. The other hunter pulls out his cell phone and calls 911. “My friend is dead!” he said, panting to the employee. What do I do? What do I do?” The operator said in a calm, relaxed voice, “Calm down. I can help you. First, let’s make sure he’s dead.” There was silence and then a gunshot was heard. Then the hunter picked up the phone and said, “Okay, what now?”
Joke works everywhere and for everyone
If all goes well, you are at least laughing at reading the drop. So we agree, it’s not a joke that makes you die of laughter either, yet it was rated higher than 39,000 others, while studying laughter.
For information, this joke was suggested by Gurpal Gosall, a 31-year-old Englishman during this study conducted in 2001. During this experiment, participants could send their own jokes and note other people’s jokes, giving them feedback via a “rimeter”.
Dr. Richard Wiseman, the man behind this project, thinks he knows why this funny little story won a gold medal. He explains:
“This joke is fun because it works in many different countries, it appeals to men and women, young and old. Many of the jokes presented have garnered higher ratings from certain groups of people, but these jokes have real universal appeal.. “
Moreover, the study is full of interesting information regarding humour. In particular, we learn that Many Europeans (including the French) are fond of absurd humorwhile Brits, New Zealanders, and Australians are more fond of puns.
