Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Have I misunderstood this joke my whole life?

122 replies

AhBiscuits · 29/12/2023 18:39

Why did the chicken cross the road?
To get to the other side.

My understanding: The chicken wanted to die. It knew it would get flattened and therefore cross to the other side.

A friend said that I have this all wrong and the chicken literally just wanted to cross the road. It's sort of a groan inducing non joke.

Who is right?

OP posts:
Lalalanding · 29/12/2023 18:51

I’m with your friend but my DD who typically has a very dark sense of humour agrees with you.

FacingTheWall · 29/12/2023 18:51

You’re right. That’s the play on words that is intended, it’s just that most people haven’t thought about it too hard and assumed it’s just a crap non-joke.

mynameiscalypso · 29/12/2023 18:53

FacingTheWall · 29/12/2023 18:51

You’re right. That’s the play on words that is intended, it’s just that most people haven’t thought about it too hard and assumed it’s just a crap non-joke.

How is it a play on words? I don't understand how it is. Surely if the chicken actively wants to get to the other side, he doesn't want to get squashed.

olympicsrock · 29/12/2023 18:55

Your friend is right

FaiIureToLunch · 29/12/2023 18:55

No, you’re correct OP and this is why it took off as a joke.

Lalalanding · 29/12/2023 18:57

mynameiscalypso · 29/12/2023 18:53

How is it a play on words? I don't understand how it is. Surely if the chicken actively wants to get to the other side, he doesn't want to get squashed.

Show quote history

I guess the other side is heaven/after life.

mynameiscalypso · 29/12/2023 18:58

@Lalalanding Ah, thank you. I was being a bit slow there.

MoralOrLegal · 29/12/2023 19:00

Sorry to bring, y'know, facts into this, but it was first recorded as an example of a non-joke...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Why_did_the_chicken_cross_the_road

SALTyartist · 29/12/2023 19:00

I'm with you OP, I always assumed it was a play on words with "the other side" being death. It doubles up as a groan joke but I think your version is funnier and how it always seemed to me.

BingoMarieHeeler · 29/12/2023 19:00

Oh! I’ve only recently twigged that it’s ‘to get to the Other Side’ (as in death) and thought everyone had been thinking that was the punchline forever and I was just very slow.

But now this thread is making me think maybe I was right at first and it’s just a shit non-joke all along 😄

CurlyhairedAssassin · 29/12/2023 19:00

AhBiscuits · 29/12/2023 18:39

Why did the chicken cross the road?
To get to the other side.

My understanding: The chicken wanted to die. It knew it would get flattened and therefore cross to the other side.

A friend said that I have this all wrong and the chicken literally just wanted to cross the road. It's sort of a groan inducing non joke.

Who is right?

This exact post has been done before. I can't remember what the consensus was.

Retrievemysanity · 29/12/2023 19:01

Omg your version is hilarious! I love it. But I always thought it was just a daft joke stating the obvious.

VisionsOfSplendour · 29/12/2023 19:01

I've seen this discussed on all social medium platforms over the years, I dont think it matters and I don't suppose there's any way to know for sure unless you can find the person who originally said the joke

I can't imagine anyone falling out about different interpretations so think of it however you prefer

ANightmareBeforeChristmas · 29/12/2023 19:01

I don't think it's a play on words. The joke is that you'd expect a witty answer or a pun or, at least, a deeper reason, but the answer you get is simple logic - why, fundamentally, does anyone or anything ever cross the road. The raising of expectations then the anticlimax is funny. Of course, the joke is so well-worn now that it no longer works on that level.

Onelifeonly · 29/12/2023 19:03

It's an anti joke. There were lots of "why did" jokes at one time and so this is giving the literal answer, which is unexpected if you think it is a joke. (I find it highly amusing you have tried to come up with an actual jokey purpose to it - though what's funny about suicide??)

TrishTrix · 29/12/2023 19:04

I'm in the non-joke category. And am aware of the follow up one.

Why did the dinosaur cross the road?
Because there were no chickens around yet.

Pablosdog · 29/12/2023 19:06

Oh goodness, I remember Boswell! 😣

CheekyLittleElf · 29/12/2023 19:07

Maybe this side is fries and the other side is corn on the cob

ANightmareBeforeChristmas · 29/12/2023 19:07

Pablosdog · 29/12/2023 19:06

Oh goodness, I remember Boswell! 😣

Boswell was solved in the end 😊

Darkenergy · 29/12/2023 19:08

I always interpreted it exactly the same as you op, it's an actual joke not just nonsense!

Original poster
AhBiscuits · 29/12/2023 19:08

PuttingDownRoots · 29/12/2023 18:40

Why did the hedgehog cross the road?
To see his flat mate

I heard the death meaning recently. I think both meanings are actually valid. Its just a nonsense joke

Maybe it was this joke that put the idea in my head, stuff being squished.

OP posts:
CaptainMyCaptain · 29/12/2023 19:09

idontlikealdi · 29/12/2023 18:39

I think you've overthinked it

This. It's a non-joke not a suicidal chicken.

Jifmicroliquid · 29/12/2023 19:14

Ive never thought of it your way, but it makes sense!

GarlicGiftsAndGlitter · 29/12/2023 19:14

MoralOrLegal · 29/12/2023 19:00

Sorry to bring, y'know, facts into this, but it was first recorded as an example of a non-joke...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Why_did_the_chicken_cross_the_road

Thanks! That was a really enjoyable read, along with the linked 'lightbulb' page 😄

decemberwasshit · 29/12/2023 19:16

I thought it was your friend's version. But thinking about it now, your version is much more clever!