Why did the chicken cross the road answers

Why did the chicken cross the road answers

"Why did the chicken cross the road?" is a common riddle joke with the answer being, "To get to the other side." It is commonly seen as an example of anti-humor, in that the curious setup of the joke leads the listener to expect a traditional punchline, but they are instead given a simple statement of fact. The joke has become iconic as an exemplary generic joke to which most people know the answer, and has been repeated and changed numerous times over the course of history.

History[edit]

Why did the chicken cross the road answers

The riddle appeared in an 1847 edition of The Knickerbocker, a New York City monthly magazine:[1]

There are 'quips and quillets' which seem actual conundrums, but yet are none. Of such is this: 'Why does a chicken cross the street?['] Are you 'out of town?' Do you 'give it up?' Well, then: 'Because it wants to get on the other side!'

According to music critic Gary Giddins in the Ken Burns documentary Jazz, the joke was spread through the United States by minstrel shows beginning in the 1840s as one of the first national jokes.

In the 1890s, a pun variant version appeared in the magazine Potter's American Monthly:[2]

Why should not a chicken cross the road? It would be a fowl proceeding.

Variations[edit]

There are many riddles that assume a familiarity with this well-known riddle and its answer. For example, an alternate punchline can be used for the riddle, such as "it was too far to walk around". One class of variations enlists a creature other than the chicken to cross the road, in order to refer back to the original riddle. For example, a duck (or turkey) crosses "because it was the chicken's day off," and a dinosaur crosses "because chickens didn't exist yet." Some variants are both puns and references to the original, such as "Why did the duck cross the road?" "To prove he's no chicken".

Other variations replace side with another word often to form a pun. Some examples are:

"Why did the chicken cross the road? To get to the idiot's house. ...Knock-knock." ("Who's there?") "The chicken."

"Why did the chicken cross the playground? To get to the other slide."

"Why did the chewing gum cross the road? It was stuck to the chicken's foot."

"Why did the whale cross the ocean? To get to the other tide."

"Why did the dinosaur cross the road? Chickens didn't exist yet."

A mathematical version asks, "Why did the chicken cross the Möbius strip? To get to the same side."

As with the lightbulb joke, variants on these themes are widespread.

References[edit]

  1. ^ The Knickerbocker, or The New York Monthly, March 1847, p. 283.
  2. ^ Potter's American Monthly (1892), p. 319.

Further reading[edit]

  • Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: Vsauce (16 September 2012). "Why did the chicken cross the road?". youtube.com.

Why did the chicken cross the road answers

Kidadl Article Fact-checking Standards

At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents.

We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family.

Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.

Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.

We know that coming up with perfect answers to crossing the road jokes can be tricky when you're put on the spot.

Luckily for you we've got fourty perfect ways for you to answer when you're faced with a 'Why did the chicken cross the road?' joke. No matter what animal your children throw at you, or which situation you're in, this list is your one-stop-shop for cracking jokes and riddle answers.

Keep your kids laughing and score bonus points for being the funniest parent with these egg-cellent jokes.

1) Why did the chicken cross the football field?

It was a fowl.

2) Why did the chick cross the road?

Because it was take your child to work day!

3) Why did the chicken cross the road?

It was free-range.

4) Why did half a chicken cross the road?

To get to its other side.

5) Why did the chicken cross the road?

It was bored of just standing there.

6) Why did the chicken cross the playground?

To get to the other slide!

7) Why did the rubber chickens cross the road?

To stretch their legs.

8) Why did the chickens cross the road?

Someone told them it was an egg-cellent idea.

9) Why did the chicken stop crossing the road?

It got tired of the jokes.

10) Why did the chicken cross the road?

just beak-cause it could.

Why did the chicken cross the road answers

11) Why did the chicken cross the internet?

To get to the other site.

12) Why did the chicken cross the playground?

To get to the other ride.

13) Why did the chicken cross the road?

Her brother was on the other side.

14) Why did the chicken cross the road?

To say hello to its friend. 'Knock knock'. Who is there? 'The chicken'.

15)  Why did the bunny cross the road?

To go to the hare dresser.

16) Why did the horse cross the road?

To get to the apple store.

17) Why did the zebra cross the road?

There was a zebra crossing.

18) Why couldn't the T-Rex cross the road?

His arms were too short to reach the traffic light button.

19) Why did Adele cross the road?

She wanted to say hello from the other side.

20) Why didn't the dinosaur cross the road?

Because roads weren't invented yet.

Why did the chicken cross the road answers

21) Why did the duck cross the road?

To meet its friend, the chicken.

22) Why did the horse cross the road?

It wanted to see it's neigh-bour.

23) Why did the cow cross the road?

To go to the moooovies.

24) Why didn't the turkey cross the road?

Because he wasn't chicken!

25) What happened when the elephant crossed the road?

He scared the chicken.

26) Why did the sheep cross the road?

To get to the baa baa's shop.

27) Why did the cow cross the road?

To get to the udder side.

28) Why did the fish cross the road?

It needed to get to the school.

29) Why did the toddler cross the road?

To pet the chicken.

30) Why did the horse cross the road?

To give the chicken a day off.

Why did the chicken cross the road answers

31) How did the egg cross the road?

It scrambled.

32) Why did the rooster cross the road?

To prove he wasn't a chicken.

33) Why did the duck cross the road?

It thought it was a chicken.

34) Why did the cow cross the road?

The chicken needed a holiday.

35) Why did the dinosaur cross the road?

Because the chicken didn't exist yet!

36) Why didn't the skeleton cross the road?

He didn't have the guts.

37) Why did the rooster cross the road?

It needed to cockadoodle dooo something!

38) Why did the chewing gum cross the road?

It was stuck to the chicken.

39) Why did the fish cross the road?

To get to the other tide.

40) Why did the turtle cross the road?

She needed to get to the shell station.

Why did the chicken cross the road answers

Natalie has lived in London her whole life. Growing up her favourite days were the ones she got to spend exploring the halls of the Natural History Museum or running around pretending to be Peter Pan in the Diana Memorial Playground. Nowadays, however, she’d be more likely seen reading, listening to her favourite music, or hunting for special gems in the countless secondhand bookshops across the city.

Read The Disclaimer

Disclaimer

At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents.

We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family.

Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.

Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.

Sponsorship & Advertising Policy

Kidadl is independent and to make our service free to you the reader we are supported by advertising.

We hope you love our recommendations for products and services! What we suggest is selected independently by the Kidadl team. If you purchase using the buy now button we may earn a small commission. This does not influence our choices. Please note: prices are correct and items are available at the time the article was published.

Kidadl has a number of affiliate partners that we work with including Amazon. Please note that Kidadl is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.

We also link to other websites, but are not responsible for their content.

Read our Sponsorship & Advertising Policy

Was this article helpful?

Get inspiration for education!

Subscribe for virtual tools, STEM-inspired play, creative tips and more

Why did the chicken cross the road answers

You might also like

Why did the chicken cross the road answers

Get inspiration for your Days Out with kids

Why did the chicken cross the road answers

We’ll send you tons of inspiration to help you find a hidden gem in your local area or plan a big day out.

Why did the chicken cross the road answers

Welcome to Kidadl!

Why did the chicken cross the road answers

Check your inbox for your latest news from us. You have subscribed to:

  • Days Out
  • Best Buys
  • Weekly Catch-Up

Remember that you can always manage your preferences or unsubscribe through the link at the foot of each newsletter.