World’s Funniest Joke: LaughLab Experiment Largest Study of Humour

The world’s funniest joke was unveiled by scientists at the end of the largest study of humour ever undertaken. The LaughLab experiment conducted by psychologist Dr Richard Wiseman, from the University of Hertfordshire, attracted more than 40,000 jokes and almost two million votes. People around the world had been invited to judge jokes on an internet site as well as contribute quips of their own.

And the joke which received the highest global rating - submitted by 31-year-old psychiatrist Gurpal Gosall from Manchester - Read it here.

The experiment also revealed wide humour differences between nations. Germans not renowned for their sense of humour - found just about everything funny. People from Ireland, the UK, Australia and New Zealand most enjoyed jokes with word plays. Americans and Canadians preferred jokes where there was a strong sense of superiority.
[Via Scotsman News]

Note: These results were out in 2002, but the world’s funniest joke was never too old to miss …