O'possums are from Ireland.
Okay, here’s the original joke followed by my attempt at a “Joke Poo” version:
Original Joke:
Possums are from the south.
Joke Poo – Title: Emu-gration Patterns
Emus are from Australia… originally. Now, they’re mostly just blocking traffic outside the local Costco.
Okay, let’s break down this joke and see what we can do to give it a comedic boost.
Joke Analysis:
- Premise: The joke hinges on a blatant factual inaccuracy. It presents a widely held (and correct) belief about possums (their prevalence and association with the Southern United States) and then directly contradicts it with an absurd claim – they’re from Ireland.
- Humor: The humor derives from the unexpected juxtaposition of reality and ridiculousness. The cognitive dissonance created by the incorrect statement is what triggers the laughter (or at least, the smirk). It’s also funny because Ireland has no native marsupials.
Key Elements:
- Possums: Specifically, the Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana), which is common in the Southern US.
- Southern US: A region with cultural associations (folklore, stereotypes) tied to wildlife, especially animals like opossums, raccoons, etc.
- Ireland: A specific geographical location with its own distinct flora and fauna, conspicuously lacking marsupials.
- Factual Inaccuracy: The core of the joke’s humor.
Comedic Enrichment/New Joke Ideas:
Here are a few options using interesting facts or playing off the original:
Option 1: Witty Observation (Possum Pride):
“You know, people always assume opossums are from the South, making them think they’re all slow and simple. But if they were really from Ireland, they’d have to be clever to survive against all those sheep. Imagine a possum in a tweed jacket!”
Why it works: This builds on the original absurdity, imagining the possible characteristics of Irish opossums and plays on stereotypes of both the southern United States and Ireland.
Option 2: Did You Know? (Opossum Ancestry – the Long Con):
“Did you know that while Virginia opossums are most common in the US, their ancestors actually crossed from North America to South America about 3 million years ago during the Great American Interchange? So, they’re not from Ireland, but their family did technically go on a pretty long trip. That’s almost as improbable.”
Why it works: This uses a real fact (the Great American Interchange) to highlight the already outlandish idea of Irish possums. The scale of the actual migration makes the Irish claim even more absurd by contrast.
Option 3: Reversal Joke (Possum Diplomacy):
“Possums are from the South? That’s what they want you to think. It’s all part of their elaborate plan to infiltrate the international community and secure a seat at the UN. Their next target? The Irish delegation. “
Why it works: Takes the expectation of Southern origin and flips it into a larger conspiracy, giving the humble possum a new level of guile.
Option 4: New Joke (The Possum Brexit):
“Why did the opossum emigrate from Ireland to the Southern US? He wanted to be closer to his roots, and avoid the Brexit border complications for marsupials entering the EU.”
Why it works: It’s plays off current event and takes the idea of possums being in Ireland seriously, while acknowledging the current complexities of borders.