KNOCK KNOCK! WHO’S THERE? The Wacky Evolution of the Knock-Knock Joke
Do you know Arthur? Arthur who? Arthurmometer!
Not very funny, is it? Well, over the years this style of back-and-forth jesting evolved into knock-knock jokes. The popularity of the “knock knock” bit of the joke could harken back to Shakespeare, who BestLife credits with “the first-known occurrence of a knock knock, who’s-there dialogue” in Act 2 of “Macbeth” (though it likely wasn’t intended to be funny), or it could be a reference to 1936 vice presidential hopeful Frank Knox, whose name made “knock knock” irresistible wordplay for the radio. Whatever the reason, knock knocks were all the rage in the 1930s, to the extent that people formed knock-knock clubs, businesses held knock-knock contests, and orchestras set them to music. However, the heyday was short-lived. In the
Knock knock! Who’s there? Theresa. Theresa who? Theresa crowd!
Unless you’re living under a rock, odds are you’ve laughed, grumbled, or groaned in response to a knock-knock joke. You may have even told a few yourself before you realized knock-knock jokes had gone out of style in favor of sarcasm and memes. That’s because at their core, knock-knock jokes are a quintessential American experience — and the perfect homegrown fodder for International Joke Day, which falls on July 1. But where did they come from, and why do so many people knock the knock-knock joke today? Well, according to NPR, knock-knock jokes have had a roller coaster of a history. Near as we can tell, they actually evolved from another kind of joke: the “Do You Know” joke. This style of joke was popular in the early 1900s, and according to an Oakland Tribune article NPR dug up, this was a typical one:
following years, people started getting sick of knock knocks, and even psychologists turned against them. According to NPR, “people who loved knock-knock jokes were said to have social problems.”
Today, knock-knock jokes are still around, but they’re mostly considered a game for kids or demoted to the realm of “bad dad jokes.” Maybe you think that’s warranted, maybe you think it’s tragic — either way, odds are the format will continue to evolve and probably outlive us all!
CATHY HIGHMILLER
We all know those folks who just keep on going when the going gets tough and refuse to let life’s trials keep them down. There’s an old Scottish ballad by Sir Andrew Barton that goes:
cleaned up. Those familiar with the market know it’s big. In fact, it’s large enough that Cathy had a golf cart to ride from one end to the other. One day, while riding as a passenger on the back of the cart, she fell out, hitting her head on the concrete, bouncing three times, and fracturing her skull. Knocked unconscious, she went to the ER in Springfield and was then transferred to OSU’s head trauma department, where they treated Cathy for internal bleeding and seizures.
“Fight on, my men. I am hurt, but I am not slain;
I’ll lay me down and bleed awhile. And then I’ll rise and fight again.”
She required extensive speech therapy as well as learning how to adjust to short- and long-term memory issues. She had to stop driving and cooking unless supervised. Not surprisingly, in spite of all the rehab efforts, Cathy was granted permanent total disability by the Industrial Commission. But, here’s how that story ties in to my statement about people who just keep on going!
We have lots of clients like this, and they are an inspiration. Life can be hard even in the best of times. But, it’s in the hard times we find out what we’re made of.
Cathy is one of those folks who just keeps going. Only a few years after
Wilma called Cathy recently to wish her a happy birthday. Cathy said she doesn’t sleep well and is up a lot. The two fans in her bedroom just weren’t cooling things down enough, so she decided at 2 a.m., by herself, to install a window air conditioner!
graduating high school, she became supervisor of housekeeping at Essex of Springfield. Essex is a skilled nursing facility, so the demands on those who keep it clean and tidy are high. Cathy ran the show over there for 30 years.
Wilma said, “No, you did not!” And Cathy said, “Oh, yes, I did!”While most people are sleeping, Ms. Cathy became an instant AC installer!
In 2008, she added a part-time gig at Springfield Antique Show & Flea Market, keeping the place
You go, girl! Keep on keepin’ on!
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