Friday 5 March 2021 Top 10 jokes that amuse and confuse in equal measure
New study shines a spotlight on why some people get the joke whilst others are left scratching their heads
Neuroscientist and comedy expert Dr Helen Pilcher reveals why jokes can leave half of us laughing - but the rest puzzled by the punchline
Ability to get gags can vary greatly between people, depending on culture, context and brain activity
Jokes relying on unfamiliar concepts and word play are trickiest to understand
Two thirds of Brits baffled by a joke will pretend to find it funny to fit in
Study commissioned by TV channel Gold to celebrate launch of new retrospective The Vicar of Dibley: Inside Out on Saturday 6th March
How do you drown a Hipster? In the mainstream is the joke most likely to amuse and confuse Brits in equal measure, new research reveals.
Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana and a jar of Omega 3 vitamins fell on my head when I opened the cupboard. I sustained super fish oil injuries are also gags that split Brits down the middle with half howling in laughter - but the rest left scratching their heads.
The report and research by renowned neuroscientist and comedy expert Dr Helen Pilcher tested a series of jokes on 2,000 adults and reveals the science explaining why some jokes are not universally understood.
The study was specially commissioned by TV channel Gold to celebrate The Vicar of Dibley: Inside Out, a new retrospective special revealing what went on behind the scenes of the award-winning BBC series, airing on Saturday 6th March.
The research was inspired by the end scenes of each episode which sees Geraldines attempt to tell Alice a joke fall flat, as she fails to understand the punchline and needs an explanation.
Dr Pilcher identified variables that determine how much of the humour individuals get, with factors including their age, upbringing, personal and cultural background and life experiences.
Top 10 jokes that amuse and confuse in equal measure according to British adults:
How do you drown a Hipster? In the mainstream (46%)
Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana (45%)
A jar of Omega 3 vitamins fell on my head when I opened the cupboard. I sustained super fish oil injuries (40%)
How do you milk sheep? With iPhone accessories (38%)
How many surrealists does it take to screw in a light bulb? A fish (36%)
What do accountants do when theyre constipated? They work it out with a pencil (35%)
A cowboy asked me if I could help him round up 18 cows. I said, Yes, of course. Thats 20 cows (30%)
A horse walks into a bar and the barman says Hey, why the long face? (29%)
What does a dyslexic, agnostic, insomniac do at night? He stays up wondering if there really is a dog (28%)
Im very pleased with my new fridge magnet. So far, Ive got 12 fridges (18%)
The type of comedy most likely to confuse is jokes based on unfamiliar concepts and word play, Dr Pilcher found.
The report also reveals that over six in ten Brits like to think they are quick-witted despite seven in ten actually often needing to have a joke explained to them.
Rather than look silly, over two thirds (67%) admit they will laugh at jokes they dont understand to fit in and over half (56%) have had to look up the meaning of a joke when slow on the uptake. The same number (56%) have even re-told jokes without understanding the punchline.
Dr Pilchers report explores why jokes such as How do you drown a Hipster? In the mainstream divide the nation, concluding that the joke involves both cultural context and the understanding of wordplay. In order to understand the joke, the listener needs three things.
First, the listener needs some background knowledge; an understanding of the terms hipster and mainstream. Second, the listener needs an understanding that hipsters are perceived to be anti-mainstream. Finally, the listener needs to spot the double meaning within the word mainstream; its both a body of water and a set of values.
Dr Pilcher said:
Laughter is universal but humour is immensely subjective and although people all over the world enjoy a good joke what they find funny varies according to a number of things, such as culture, context and language.
Brain activity is also implicated. The brain contains billions of neurons, and can process large amounts of information in very short time periods. For some people, all the elements of a joke come together in an instant and they get the joke, but if any of the elements are missing, then the joke falls flat, much like in The Vicar of Dibley when Alice fails to understand any of Geraldines jokes.
Gerald Casey, Gold channel director, said:
At the end of every episode of The Vicar of Dibley, Geraldine shares a joke with Alice and whilst deemed funny by Geraldine, Alice always fails to understand the punchline. We wanted to commemorate this iconic show by revealing just how subjective humour and jokes can be.
The poll also revealed the top 10 jokes from the end scenes of The Vicar of Dibley, famed for the punchline falling flat when Alice fails to understand jokes told by Dawn Frenchs character Geraldine.
Top 10 funniest jokes from The Vicar of Dibley:
Two nuns are driving through Transylvania when a great big vampire jumps on the bonnet. One nun says to the other show him your cross. So, the nun opens the window and yells: get off my bonnet you toothy git! (62%)
Theres a Vicar playing golf with his friend John. John misses a three-foot putt, and he says: Dammit, I missed the bugger. The Vicar tuts and says John, if you say that once more then God will open up the heavens and send a thunderbolt to strike you dead. But then John misses a two-foot putt, and he says: Dammit, I missed the bugger. So, the heavens open a great big thunderbolt comes down and strikes the Vicar dead and God says Dammit, I missed the bugger (52%)
W
Europe Stories
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
06/09/2026
June 9 2026, 23:00 (PDT) Dolby and MagentaTV Bring Fans Closer to the FIFA Worl...
04/08/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
04/07/2026
April 7 2026, 19:00 (PDT) Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway Opens in...
11/06/2026
As podcast formats evolve in the streaming era, podcasting needs updated, transp...
11/06/2026
As Spotify's global RADAR program enters its sixth year in Italy, a new class of artists is stepping into the spotlight. Today, we're announcing the six...
11/06/2026
Pride Month is a time for celebration, reflection, and amplifying the diverse stories and perspectives from the LGBTQIA+ community that enrich our world. To hel...
11/06/2026
First in new line of muted string libraries
VSL have just announced the launch of two new string libraries that represent the first two instalments in a new...
11/06/2026
New colour option for 61-key Launchkey MK4
At Superbooth 2025, Novation introduced the Launchkey Mini 37 White and Launchkey 49 White, bringing an additiona...
11/06/2026
Larger, but still compact!
Arturia's popular compact MIDI controller keyboard is now available in a, well, slightly less compact version! The new MiniLa...
11/06/2026
Eurosatory 2026: Rohde & Schwarz shapes the new-generation battlefield Rohde & Schwarz unveils next generation SIGINT/EW and CUAS solutions on uncrewed system...
11/06/2026
Rohde & Schwarz unveils NEMACS - Directional, ultra secure connectivity for the ...
11/06/2026
Thursday 11 June 2026
Daisy May Cooper rallies the nation ahead of ICC Women's T20 World CupTurn on cookies to view this content. Go to Privacy options and...
11/06/2026
Summer solstice shows from C il House and Late Date from 9pm on Saturday 20 Jun...
10/06/2026
Get Hands-On with Interfaces & Mic Preamp Brands
If youre after a new interface or preamp, then GearExpo UK is the place to be! Well have a whole host of au...
10/06/2026
November 13-14 2026, The Midway, San Francisco
Following their recent rebranding, MONO Music Conference (formerly Music Expo) have officially announced thei...
10/06/2026
Debut instrument free for limited time
deFORM is the debut release from newly founded developer ebbandflow, and it's being offered as a free download fo...
10/06/2026
Rohde & Schwarz and TRUMPF advance laser-based drone defense with THORIS LCS Rohde & Schwarz is showcasing THORIS at ILA 2026: A sovereign, end to end counter...
10/06/2026
MAHLE and Rohde & Schwarz develop application for sensor testing of modern drive...
10/06/2026
10 Jun 2026
VEON's Banglalink Brings Every World Cup 2026 Match to Football...
10/06/2026
Wednesday 10 June 2026
How to watch every ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 match live on Sky Sports
Where is the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 availabl...
10/06/2026
Wednesday 10 June 2026
P RLA brings first-ever Beautifully Clean Oral Care'...
10/06/2026
Wednesday 10 June 2026
Sky reveals pulse-pounding first teaser trailer for upco...
10/06/2026
Wuppertal June 10, 2026
Riedel Artist at the Heart of the 14th World Live Neurovascular ConferenceAt the 14th World Live Neurovascular Conference (WLNC) in Li...
09/06/2026
Last month, Spotify hosted PURE FLOWERS LIVE, a special event celebrating the re...
09/06/2026
Last month, RADAR U.K. artist Skye Newman took the stage in East London for a sp...
09/06/2026
Company to cease operating on 30 June 2026
Australian loudspeaker and amplifier manufacturer Wayne Jones Audio have announced that after much consideration,...
09/06/2026
Increases low-end weight and character
The latest plug-in release from Sheffield-based fedDSP aims to offer an all-in-one solution for users in search of mo...
09/06/2026
Introduces AI Studio Assistant, Moises Studio integration & more
Fender Studio have just announced the launch a significant update that brings an array of n...
09/06/2026
The BBC has found its Hercule Poirot.
After Deadline revealed last month that t...
09/06/2026
Filming to take place in Holmfirth
9th June 2026, London: U&GOLD is heading bac...
09/06/2026
X-Rite Pantone Launches Offset360 to Modernize Color Control Across Existing Pre...
09/06/2026
09 Jun 2026
VEON Appoints Serkan Ozturk as Chief of Staff & Strategy Officer Dubai and New York, June 9, 2026 - VEON Ltd. (NASDAQ: VEON), a global digital oper...
09/06/2026
Tuesday 9 June 2026
Katie Price: Nothing to Hide, a candid and unfiltered accou...
09/06/2026
Enni Continues to Rely on Arvato Systems - And Will Be Using AEP.EnerS4 Billing Solution
Arvato Systems to implement transformation project for SAP S/4HANA Ut...
09/06/2026
These special programmes will highlight RT 's connection with the Irish diaspora
This year, RT is marking 100 years of public broadcasting in Ireland with...
08/06/2026
At Spotify, our commitment to the LGBTQIA community is year-round. Through GLOW, our global music program, we celebrate and amplify the contributions of queer ...
08/06/2026
Get Hands-on With Keyboard & Synth Brands
GearExpo UK wouldn't be complete without some synth action, and we've got some of the industry's most ...
08/06/2026
50 popular in-ear monitoring system profiles added
The latest update for IK Multimedia's headphone-correction system has just arrived, and introduces ca...
08/06/2026
Manny Marroquin signature cans upgraded with SLAM Technology
The flagship model in Audeze's Manny Marroquin Signature Series has just been treated to an...
08/06/2026
Air domain supremacy redefined - New counter UAS, space solutions and directiona...
08/06/2026
he BBC and BritBox have announced that Edward Bluemel (We Might Regret This, My ...
08/06/2026
Plus, 20% off TVs ahead of kick-offMonday 8 June 2026
Sky introduces Real Time...
08/06/2026
FOX Secures Live NFL Game Package in Mexico Starting in Fall 2026 Agreement Features Thursday Night Football, Sunday Games Package, Thanksgiving Day Games, al...
08/06/2026
FOX One, FOX Sports and Indeed Name Austin Franklin and Kevin Akoto as FOX One C...
08/06/2026
Meet us on the show floor
Stand #286310 Discover Nara, the media management tool used by major facilities including Harbor and Molinare.
Nara v2 introduces re...
08/06/2026
L'art de l'Image dans Reflet dans un diamant mort' Une conversation avec le directeur de la photographie Manuel Dacosse, SBC et l' talonneur Pe...
08/06/2026
Embracing today's modern media workflows: FilmLight presents Nara 2.0, with FilmLight API Designed to support the growing demands of today's production ...
Friday 5 March 2021 Top 10 jokes that amuse and confuse in equal measure
