Hunt is on for UK's funniest gag

Scientists have created a computer program to write jokes as part of a search for Britain's funniest gag.

Researchers are inviting people to submit their favourite jokes to the Laughter Lab website as part of their study of the psychology of humour.

At the end of the experiment a volunteer will be exposed to the funniest joke, as rated by other visitors to the site, while having a brain scan in a bid to understand what makes us laugh.

Dr Richard Wiseman, of the University of Hertfordshire, is leading the research, and also programmed the computer to generate puns.

So far the one-liners generated by machine include: "What kind of pig can you ignore at a party? A wild boar," and "what do you call a ferocious nude? A grizzly bear".

The research has a serious, side, though. Everyone logging on to the site will be asked about their background and invited to complete a short psychological questionnaire.

The information will help answer questions such as whether a sense of humour differs between men and women, people from different countries and regions, and individuals of different ages.

Dr Wiseman, launching the study at the British Association science festival at Glasgow University, said: "A lot of cognitive input goes into understanding a joke and finding it funny. For that reason, psychologists have studied humour for a very long time."

All the jokes will be stored on a database at the University of Hertfordshire (formerly Hatfield Polytechnic) and the winner of the best joke announced in September next year.

However, any tasteless gags will be screened out.

Published: 6 Sep 2001