When were jokes and riddles first told?
Jokes and riddles have a long history and have been part of human culture for centuries. Here's a look at when and how they first appeared:
Ancient Times:
- Jokes: The earliest recorded joke
dates back to 4th century BC in ancient Sumer (modern-day
Iraq). A Sumerian proverb found on a tablet is believed to be one of the
first recorded examples of humor: "Something which has never
occurred since time immemorial; a young woman did not fart in her
husband's lap." It's considered the first known joke, though its
humor might seem odd to us today.
- Riddles: Riddles, as a form of verbal
puzzle or question, also date back to ancient times. The Sumerians
and Babylonians (around 2000 BCE) are known to have used
riddles as a form of entertainment and intellectual exercise.
- One of
the oldest known riddles comes from ancient Egypt around 1900
BCE, found in the Westcar Papyrus. This papyrus contains a
collection of riddles posed to pharaohs and their courtiers, showing that
riddles were a form of intellectual challenge in the ancient world.
mmm
Ancient Greece and Rome:
- The
Greeks and Romans also enjoyed riddles and jokes, often including them in
philosophical discussions or comedic plays.
- Aristophanes, a Greek playwright from the 5th
century BC, used humor and wordplay in his plays, many of which
included jokes that would still be understood as funny today.
Middle Ages:
- Jokes: By the Middle Ages,
humor began to take more recognizable forms. Court jesters and troubadours
used jokes as part of entertainment in royal courts.
- Riddles: Riddles continued to be
popular, especially in medieval literature. They often appeared in oral
traditions, where they were passed down through generations as part of
folklore.
Modern Times:
- With
the rise of printing in the 15th century, books of jokes and
riddles started to be published. For example, the first printed joke book,
titled "The Merry Wives of Windsor" by William
Shakespeare, was published in 1597.
In essence, jokes and riddles have been part of human
culture for thousands of years, evolving over time but always serving as a form
of entertainment and intellectual stimulation.
কোন মন্তব্য নেই:
একটি মন্তব্য পোস্ট করুন