Why Did the Chicken Cross the Road?

"Have you heard the one about…?"

"Knock, knock. Who's there?…"

"There once was a man from Nantucket…"

"Why did the chicken cross the road?"

"How many Klingons does it take to change a lightbulb?"

Humor. Jokes. Puns. Riddles. Irony. Giggles. Laughter. We all need to de-stress sometimes, and more so this pivotal year of 2020 than we've needed to in a long time.

Remember the saying "laughter is the best medicine"? Laughter initially raises blood pressure, but then decreases it. It lowers blood sugar levels. It relaxes your muscles and improves your attitude. A good laugh brings into your body more oxygen and it stimulates your heart and lungs. Several studies have shown that laughter is an effective pain-reliever. Like chocolate, it releases endorphins (the "feel-good" chemicals) into your brain – but without the concomitant calories.

It creates community. When you laugh with your family or friends, you create both bonds and shared memories. We laugh because we feel delight, joy, mirth, and happiness. Babies laugh before they speak a single word.

Do you know how to tell a funny story? When your audience expects one thing but you serve up something incongruous, you've set the stage for laughter. This formula is used by humorists the world over.

Besides professional comedians, there are many people who are trying to bring the benefits of laughter to the world. Dr. Madan Kataria of India developed a practice called "Laughter Yoga", and Licensed Social Worker Enda Junkins has written books on the subject and given presentations through her "Laughter Therapy Enterprises".

Loretta LaRoche, stress expert and humorist, has presented her funny and poignant programs at Mechanics Hall and the Hanover Theater right here in Worcester. Don't see anything to laugh about these days? LaRoche's catch-phrase is "Fake it till you make it!"

Sometimes we tell jokes or relate puns as an antidote for serious or dangerous circumstances. Here's an essay on humor in the African American community: Louisiana Folklife

Humor is an important part of human existence. There are even journals devoted to its study, for example The Israeli Journal of Humor Research: An International Journal. For an academic study of stand-up comedy, see Comedy Study

Humor may be "constructive" or "destructive". The former hurts no one and often depends on word-play. The latter may seem funny to a specific audience, while targeting another group of people - these latter folks might not find your "joke" funny at all. We recommend finding your humor-style without stereotyping people.

Did you know that Worcester played an important role in the history of laughter? In 1963, Worcesterite Harvey Ball was commissioned by the State Mutual Insurance Company (now renamed Allmerica; its headquarters are on Lincoln St.) to create a poster or logo to raise morale among its employees. Ball came up with the now-ubiquitous "smiley-face", for which he was paid $45.

Here are some eBooks you can access from home on comedy, humor, and laughter: eBooks on Humor & Comedy

So, to wrap up:

How do you tune a banjo?.... with wire-cutters!
Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana.
And did you know that exaggerations went up by a million percent last year?

ROFL.

We at WPL wish you all health and an occasional belly-laugh.