Could This Be the World's Funniest Joke?

Two hunters were standing in the forest. One of the hunters suddenly collapses. The other takes out his cell phone and dials 911. The operator answers, "Hello, what is your emergency?" The hunter replies, "I was hunting with my friend and I think he's dead! What should I do?" The operator then tells him, "Make sure that he is dead." The man says, "Just a second." There is silence on the phone and suddenly a loud gunshot is heard. The man then asks the operator, "Okay, now what?"

Did you find that joke funny?

It is likely that you laughed or at least snickered. Maybe you rolled your eyes in disgust. It is likely, though, that it was a reaction that indicated on some level that it was humorous.

Why is it funny? Scientists do not have those answers.

The only thing know is that the British Association for the Advancement of Science set out to find the UK's funniest joke. This then grew into a project of trying to find the world's funniest joke.

There are some rumors that joke originally stated that the two men are from New Jersey. Is there something more funny about New Jersey than other states. That may be for natives of New Jersey, but it makes no sense for a native of Louisiana.

If it were stated that two Cajuns, most likely Boudreaux and Thibodeaux, were hunting, it would be funnier for natives of Louisiana.

If a resident is from Alabama, the joke may be about two rednecks.

If the joke is told to people up north, the joke may be about the Polish or Swedish immigrants Ole and Lena.

In fact, many of the same jokes are told about those different people. Are jokes funny because of the accents used? Are they funny because of the content?

While more than 50,000 jokes may have been submitted to the British Association for the Advancement of Science, they were most likely all in English. Was the joke translated for others who do not understand English?

It is certain that the British Association for the Advancement of Science did not do a thorough job in finding the world's funniest joke. However, it may still be the UK's funniest joke. It may even be the USA's funniest joke.

If the joke does not appeal to you, then you are just in the minority. There's no need to worry about your sense of humor.

Or perhaps, I told it wrong. The British Association for the Advancement of Science says that the joke is actually phrased, "A couple of hunters are out in the woods when one of them falls to the

ground. He doesn't seem to be breathing; his eyes are rolled back in his head. The other guy whips out his phone and calls the emergency services. He gasps, "My friend is dead! What can I do?" The operator in a calm, soothing voice says, "Just take it easy, I can help. First, let's make sure he's dead." There is a silence, and then a shot is heard. The hunter's voice comes back on the line saying, "OK, now what?"

Does the extra information make it funnier?

You be the judge.