In 2002, a British researcher/psychologist Richard Wiseman launched a website called LaughLab. He ran an experiment and asked people around the world to submit a joke and at the same time rate other people's jokes. He got over 41,000 entries and about 1.5 million votes.
Here is the joke that got the most votes, winning the title of the funniest:
Two hunters are out in the woods when one of them collapses. He doesn't seem to be breathing and his eyes are glazed. The other guy whips out his phone and calls the emergency services. He gasps, "My friend is dead! What can I do?". The operator says "Calm down. I can help. First, let's make sure he's dead." There is a silence, then a shot is heard. Back on the phone, the guy says "OK, now what?"
This was submitted by Gurpal Gosall, a 31 year old psychiatrist from Manchester in the UK.
The joke that came second was submitted by Geoff Anandappa, from Blackpool in Britain:
Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson were going camping. They pitched their tent under the stars and went to sleep. Sometime in the middle of the night Holmes woke Watson up and said: “Watson, look up at the stars, and tell me what you see.”
Watson replied: “I see millions and millions of stars.”
Holmes said: “and what do you deduce from that?”
Watson replied: “Well, if there are millions of stars, and if even a few of those have planets, it’s quite likely there are some planets like earth out there. And if there are a few planets like earth out there, there might also be life.”
And Holmes said: “Watson, you idiot, it means that somebody stole our tent.”
Check out the ten funniest jokes ever (according to science) at the Metro, and the 25 funniest jokes of all-time at the Independent.
Tip! Learn How to Tell a Funny Joke from Lifehack.org.