I love jokes just as much as the next guy, but I must admit most dirty jokes go over my head.

Back in college when I was pledging for a sorority, we were often required to provide "entertainment" for our sisters and fraternity members during the socials. Once, we were told to prepare a few jokes. I was so worried cause I didn't have a bunch of jokes I could just tell right off the bat.

So what did I do? Rush to the library to find a book on jokes! (This obviously was before the boom days of the Internet and Google!) I remember the jokes being very corny and G-rated but it was that or nothing.

That memory has always made me appreciate people who can tell a good joke.

Speaking of jokes, this next story revealed a very interesting piece of history related to Odds and Ends. Several of you have noticed the conversation here often turns to farts and other nonfamily-friendly material. Why do we not get tired of it and how many stories and laughs can we keep sharing on these over-discussed themes? I think now we may have the answer...

World's oldest joke book hits Internet
UPI

LONDON — A British comedian who helped to bring a Greek joke book from the 4th century to the modern world said many of the jokes concern farts, sex and ugly wives.

Jim Bowen, who was videotaped telling many of the jokes to a modern audience for the "Philogelos: The Laugh Addict" project, said many of the jokes, which were translated from what is believed top be the world's oldest joke book by U.S. researcher William Berg, contain themes that continue to strike chords with modern audiences.
"One or two of them are jokes I've seen in people's acts nowadays, slightly updated; they put in a motor car instead of a chariot," Bowen said.

The online book also contains a joke that some cited as a precursor to British comedy troupe Monty Python's famous "Dead Parrot" sketch: "A man goes up to a student dunce and says, 'The slave you sold me died.'

'By the gods,' counters the dunce, 'when he was with me, he never did any such thing!'"

"Philogelos: The Laugh Addict," which includes the translation of the joke book as well as video footage of Bowen performing the jokes, is available to view at www.yudu.com/oldestjokebook.

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So are you good at telling jokes or have an easy time getting them?

What's the ODDEST joke you've heard or told?

What gets you really laughing out loud, clutching your stomach and leaving you in tears?

Laughter really is the best medicine and I truly think that's one thing you do NOT need in moderation. I hope O&E becomes the place you turn to for your daily dose of laughter...