Grace Thompson
The joke What's black, white, and red all over? is a play on words that takes advantage of the homophones red and read. The joke is typically answered with a newspaper, referring to the black and white print of newspapers and the fact that they are read all over the world. However, alternative punchlines include a nun with a spear through her head and a nun falling down the stairs.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type | Joke/Riddle |
| Colours | Red, Black, and White |
| Answer | Newspaper, Nun with a spear through her head, Nun falling down the stairs, Sunburned penguin |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Nuns in a chainsaw fight
Nuns are not typically associated with chainsaws, but in the world of jokes and humour, anything is possible. The image of nuns in a chainsaw fight is certainly unexpected and absurd, and it is this contrast that makes it funny.
The joke "What's red, black, and white?" with the answer "Two nuns in a chainsaw fight" is a play on the classic riddle, "What's black and white and read all over?" with the answer being "A newspaper". The joke version adds a twist by introducing the element of colour, which could refer to blood, thus suggesting violence and creating a dark humour.
The image of nuns wielding chainsaws is a stark contrast to the traditional image of nuns as peaceful and devout religious figures. This juxtaposition is further emphasised by the setting of a fight, which is usually associated with aggression and conflict. The absurdity of the situation is heightened by the fact that nuns are typically associated with helping others and finding peaceful resolutions to conflicts, rather than engaging in violent behaviour.
The joke may also be commenting on the perception of nuns as being restricted by their habits and the strict rules of their religious order. By placing them in a chainsaw fight, the joke liberates them from these restrictions and portrays them as powerful and unrestrained. It is a form of wish fulfilment, where the restrictions of society are literally cut down by the spinning blades of a chainsaw.
In popular culture, the image of a nun with a chainsaw has appeared in various forms, from fan art to video games. This combination of sacred and profane elements creates a sense of transgression, which can be appealing to audiences who enjoy seeing traditional boundaries pushed or broken. The image of a chainsaw-wielding nun has become a symbol of rebellion against religious authority and societal norms, embraced by some as a form of dark humour or as a way to explore alternative identities.
Celebrating St. Patrick's Day: Catholic Traditions and Customs
You may want to see also
Explore related products
A nun with a javelin
The joke, "A nun with a javelin", replaces the word "red" with "a nun", keeping the colour black and white, and adding an element of surprise and humour with the javelin. This joke also relies on the audience's familiarity with the original riddle, as the word "red" is substituted for "nun", giving it a new meaning and a visual image of a nun holding a javelin or perhaps even being impaled by one, creating a comedic effect.
This type of joke, playing with homophones, is quite common, and the "red/read" pun is a well-known example. The joke has been adapted and modified over time, with various answers provided, including "a chocolate sundae with ketchup on top", "a badger in a blender", and "a penguin with a sunburn". These answers retain the colour component of black, white, and red, but they lack the homophonic pun, and are thus considered less clever.
The joke "A nun with a javelin" also draws on the cultural figure of a nun, who is often portrayed as a serious and pious figure, and places her in a ridiculous and unexpected situation, creating a comedic contrast. This joke also has a visual element, as one can imagine a nun holding or being hit by a javelin, adding to its impact and memorability.
In conclusion, "A nun with a javelin" is a humorous play on words, utilising the homophonic pun between "red" and "read", while also incorporating a visual image and a surprising twist, making it a memorable and effective joke.
St. Patrick's Cathedral: Dublin's Catholic Legacy
You may want to see also
Explore related products
A nun with a spear through her head
The joke, "What's black, white, and red all over?" is a riddle that plays on the homophonic pun of the words "red" and "read". The traditional answer to this riddle is "a newspaper", as it is printed in black and white and read all over the world. However, there are several variations of this joke with different punchlines, including "a nun with a spear through her head".
The image of a nun with a spear through her head evokes a sense of shock and absurdity, which is a common theme in many jokes about nuns, such as "two nuns in a chainsaw fight" or "a nun in a woodchipper". These jokes often involve violent or gruesome imagery that contrasts with the peaceful and devout nature typically associated with nuns.
The joke "a nun with a spear through her head" can be interpreted as a darkly humorous play on words. The wordplay revolves around the homophonic similarity between the words "red" and "read". On the one hand, the joke could be interpreted as describing a nun who has literally had a spear pierce her head, resulting in a violent and bloody scene. The colour red here refers to the blood that would be spilled from such an injury.
On the other hand, the joke could be interpreted as a pun on the word "read". In this interpretation, the joke could be suggesting that the nun with a spear through her head is so focused on reading or studying that she is oblivious to her injury. The red in this case could refer to the act of reading, as in "reading a book".
The humour in this joke lies in the unexpected and gruesome image of a nun with a spear through her head, combined with the wordplay that invites multiple interpretations. It is a play on words that leverages the homophonic similarity between "red" and "read" to create a darkly humorous effect.
Catholic Match App: A Faith-Based Dating Solution
You may want to see also
Explore related products
A sunburnt penguin
The joke relies on a play on words, leveraging the similarity in pronunciation between the words "red" and "read." Newspapers, with their black ink printing on white paper, are "read all over" the world, hence the joke. The addition of "sunburnt" to the punchline of "penguin" introduces a new dimension to the joke, as penguins are typically associated with black and white colours.
Penguins are known for their distinctive black and white plumage, which serves as excellent camouflage in their natural habitat. However, in the context of this joke, the sunburnt penguin presents a comical image of a penguin that has spent a little too much time in the sun. The joke imagines a penguin with red, sunburnt skin peeking through its black and white feathers.
The image of a sunburnt penguin adds a touch of absurdity to the joke, as penguins are not typically associated with sunbathing or sunburn. It invites the audience to imagine a scenario where a penguin finds itself in an unusually sunny environment, perhaps on a tropical beach or in a scorching desert, resulting in an unexpected sunburn.
The joke "A sunburnt penguin" is a clever variation of the traditional "What's black, white, and red all over?" joke. It combines wordplay, surprise, and a touch of whimsy to deliver a humorous punchline that stands out from the more common answers to this classic riddle. This joke showcases how a simple twist can breathe new life into familiar humour, creating a memorable and entertaining effect.
Palm Sunday: Catholic Holiday or Not?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
A skunk with diaper rash
The joke and its various punchlines have been around for a while and are well-known, as evidenced by comments on Reddit threads where users share their own versions or recall hearing the joke as children. The joke has also evolved to include other punchlines that play on the homophonic pun between "red" and "read," such as "a baby zebra with a bad case of diaper rash," "a nun with a spear through her head," and "a sunburnt zebra." These answers are considered dark humor by some.
The joke's structure allows for creative and humorous variations, and it is interesting to see how it has been adapted and shared across different platforms and generations. The skunk with diaper rash version is particularly memorable due to its unexpected and amusing imagery, providing a unique twist to the classic joke.
While the joke is well-known and has been shared widely, some may consider it insensitive or inappropriate, especially when it comes to the more morbid punchlines. However, humor is subjective, and the joke continues to be told and adapted, with new versions shared online and passed down through generations.
In conclusion, the "What's black, white, and red all over?" joke and its various punchlines, including the skunk with diaper rash version, showcase the creative and playful use of language and humor. Through its evolution and persistence in popular culture, the joke has become a well-known part of comedic folklore, providing entertainment and laughter to people of all ages.
Catholic Funeral Timing: How Long After Death?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The joke usually refers to a newspaper, which is printed in black and white and is "read" all over the world. However, the joke confuses people because they assume "red" refers to the colour and not something that will be read.
Some variations of the joke replace "newspaper" with "a nun with a spear through her head", "a nun falling down the stairs", "a sunburnt zebra", or "a slaughtered penguin".
The joke is confusing because the word "red" has two meanings. It can refer to the colour red or the past tense of the verb "to read". When you hear the question, you think it is asking about the colour red, but the intended answer is something that is read.
The joke is likely old, dating back to when newspapers were widely read and predominantly printed in black and white.
