Thank William Shakespeare for the First Knock Knock Joke
William Shakespeare did more than write the most famous plays and sonnets in English literature and contribute more than 1,700 words to the English language. He can also claim credit for inventing one of the most popular forms of humor: the knock-knock joke. The date was 1606, and the venue was Macbeth, Act 2, Scene 3:
PORTER: Here’s a knocking indeed! If a man were porter of
hell-gate, he should have old turning the key.Knock within
Knock, knock, knock, knock! Who’s there, i’ the name of Belzebub Here’s a farmer that hanged himself on th’ expectation of plenty. Come in time! Have napkins
enow about you; here you’ll sweat for’t.Knock within
Knock, knock! Who’s there, in th’ other devil’s name?
Faith, here’s an equivocator that could swear in both
the scales against either scale, who committed
treason enough for God’s sake, yet could not
equivocate to heaven. O, come in, equivocator.Knock within
Knock, knock, knock! Who’s there? Faith, here’s an
English tailor come hither, for stealing out of a
French hose. Come in, tailor; here you may roast your goose.Knock within
Knock, knock! Never at quiet! What are you? But this
place is too cold for hell. I’ll devil-porter it no further.
I had thought to have let in some of all professions, that go
the primrose way to the everlasting bonfire.
You may also enjoy…
The Epic Prank that Became History’s Greatest Practical Joke
Filippo Brunelleschi (1377-1446) was an accomplished architect, designer, sculptor, and mathematician. He is considered to be one of the founding fathers of Renaissance architecture and holds the distinction of being the first person to receive a patent in the Western world. He achieved immortality in the history books by designing the dome of the Florence…
The First Selfie: Would You Believe It Happened in 1839?
In 1839, Robert Cornelius created the first selfie, kicking off humanity’s fascination the phenomenon we now see on social media.
The Surprising Age of the First Fax Machine
The first fax machine was invented by Alexander Bain in 1843. Initially requiring specialized paper and a pendulum for scanning, Bain’s invention paved the way for modern communication technologies. His innovations predated various significant advancements, underscoring the historical impact of the fax machine.
Leave a Reply