Modern comics get lots of laughs from shock value. Just imagine, however, how shocking this old nerd joke was, back in its long-ago heyday:
Columbus sailed the ocean blue
In fourteen hundred and ninety-two
Divide the son-of-a-bitch by two
And that’s how many watts are in a horsepower.
I love that joke for delivering not one but two shocks. First, you think it’s a kid’s rhyme you already know. Second, you’re still in the same rhyme but somebody’s swearing. Third, you’re in the workaday world of watts and horsepower-and the rhyme that got you there has disappeared. I’d like to see Eddy Murphy do better than that.
The opposite of shock value is also funny. For example:
On the anniversary of Queen Victoria’s death, her children would visit the mausoleum at Frogmore. One year, as they knelt piously in prayer, a dove entered the mausoleum and flew about.
“It is dear Mama’s spirit,” they murmured.
“No, I am sure it is not,” contradicted Princess Louise.”
“It must be dear Mama’s spirit,” they persisted.
“No, it isn’t,” said Princess Louise. “Dear Mama’s spirit would never have ruined Beatrice’s hat.”
from Clifton Fadiman and André Bernard, Bartlett’s Book of Anecdotes (New York: Little, Brown, 2000).
Part of the fun comes from figuring out just what she’s talking about. Another thing I love about this story–Princess Louise is thinking scientifically. Even when urged to believe what she wants to believe, she sticks to the evidence. At least, that’s my excuse for sticking her funny story in my book of science jokes.
And one more example, since good things should come in threes:
“The species of whale known as the black right whale has four kilos of brains and 1,000 kilos of testicles. If it thinks at all, we know what it is thinking about.”
Jon Lien, “Whale Professor” at St. John’s University, Newfoundland, speaking to the Norwegian Telegram Agency (spring 1995).
Speaking of shocks, imagine my surprise when I learned Dave Winer linked to this post–sending many enthusiasts for Howard Dean my way. I asked Dave–why this page? He said he thought the whale testicles should be “out there.” Okay…
If you’re here to learn more about “Howard Dean for President!”–I’m just a fan, not an expert. I put two links on the right side of this page–both lead to groups where you can really find out more.