KNOCK KNOCK! WHO’S THERE?
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:
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 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!
Knock knock! Who’s there? Theresa. Theresa who? Theresa crowd!
Do you know Arthur? Arthur who? Arthurmometer!
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?
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,
Delicious Chicken and Even Better Customer Service
The Rise of Chick-fil-A
When you’re craving the perfect chicken sandwich, few restaurant chains deliver better than Chick-fil-A. Top that off with a side of waffle fries; a sweet, cold, house-made lemonade; and some of Chick-fil-A’s signature sauce, and you’ve got a meal that’s a cut above the rest in the fast food world. The first Chick-fil-A opened in 1967, evolving from Chick-fil-A founder S. Truett Cathy’s first restaurant, Dwarf Grill (later renamed Dwarf House). After creating his first chicken sandwich in 1964, he completely rebranded his business. In the decades since, Chick-fil-A has become one of the most successful fast food chains in the country — not because of how it compared to other chains but because of how it stood out in the crowd. Both Cathy’s entrepreneurialism and his faith informed his approach to growing his chicken sandwich empire. Cathy’s faith is why all Chick-fil- As close on Sundays. His unique business view led him to establish five core values, which he and many other entrepreneurs have applied to their businesses with great success:
Along with these values, Cathy also holds several other business principles to be important, such as avoiding personal debt, being kind, and keeping the Chick-fil-A menu consistent. At every Chick- fil-A restaurant, the menu consists of the same favorites, made from high-quality ingredients. Part of their consistency is due to the restaurant almost never letting franchisees control them. Almost every Chick-fil-A is corporate-owned. While that might not be great for any entrepreneurs trying to get a piece of that chicken sandwich, it’s been great for Chick- fil-A’s customers. When you visit one of its restaurants, you can be sure the kindest staff around will get you the best chicken sandwich in no time.
1. Climb with care and confidence. 2. Create a loyalty effect. 3. Never lose a customer. 4. Put principles and people ahead of profits. 5. Close on Sundays.
2 WWW.POPALOCKKY.COM
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