The mathematical equation for the perfect joke was revealed by scientists in London yesterday. The calculation is c=(m+nO)/p.In the formula, c is the funniness of the joke; m is the "comic moment" (arrived at by multiplying the punchline's funniness rating by the length of the joke's buildup); nO is the number of times the subject undergoes a pratfall, multiplied by the "ouch factor" - the social and physical pain of the indignity involved. The total is divided by the number of puns, p.
I'm somehow reminded of E.B. White's aphorism: "Humor can be dissected, as can a frog; but the thing dies in the process and the results are discouraging except to the pure of scientific mind."
Via Wizbang