A riddle using the slang terms of “fruit” (homosexual) and “vegetable” (a comatose person) is:
Q: What turns a fruit into a vegetable?
A: AIDS.
The joke—often regarded as offensive—has been cited in print since at least 1987 (near the beginning of the AIDS epidemic).
Google Books
Plays & Players
Issues 400-411
1987
Pg. 84:
Have you heard about AIDS, the new ingredient that turns a fruit into a vegetable?’ Strong stuff, and yet not as powerful as the testimonies of real-life victims, who talk about the process of growing to hate their bodies, of the longing for physical contact.
Google Groups: aus.jokes
ALL ARE OFFENSIVE
Jim Scanlon
11/25/96
(...)
Another was the definition of AIDS “ A horrible disease that turns a fruit into a vegetable”!
Google Groups: alt.horror
Re: Most Offensive Joke Ever
T.A. Kinn
5/11/07
(...)
Q: What turns a fruit into a vegetable?
A: A.I.D.S.
Twitter
Muireann McGovern‏
@MuireannNiSh
Alison: “What turns a fruit into a vegetable?” Me: “I dunno, frogurt?” Alison: “AIDS!” I feel so guilty for laughing! xD
10:56 AM - 8 Mar 2010
Google Books
Boycott These Jokes
By Jeo King
Marine Publishing
2016
Pg. ?:
Q: What turns a fruit into a vegetable?
A: AIDS.
Reddit—Jokes
What turns a fruit into a vegetable?
submitted May 20, 2016 by BedrockPerson
AIDS.
Reddit—Jokes
What turns a fruit into a vegetable?
submitted June 22, 2017 by I_love_the_As
Aids.
Above, a 1934 plaque from the Big Apple Night Club at West 135th Street and Seventh Avenue in Harlem. Discarded as trash in 2006. Now a Popeyes fast food restaurant on Google Maps.
Recent entries:
•
“Instead of conspiracy theorist, I prefer to be called a connect the dots specialist” (3/20)
•
“Let’s reduce drunk driving by taking cars away from sober drivers” (3/20)
•
“When the Berlin Wall fell, which side did the people run to?” (3/20)
•
“You are being conditioned to give up your rights every time there’s a crisis” (3/20)
•
Entry in progress—BP (3/20)
More new entries...
Above, Big Apple Corner at 54th Street and Broadway in Manhattan. Google Maps.
Above, John J. Fitz Gerald, from the Aug. 15, 1931, Binghamton (NY) Press, pg. 14.
Listen to Robert Emmerich introduce "The Big Apple," a hit song from 1937. Music written by Bob and performed by Tommy Dorsey's Clambake Seven with Bob on piano. Lyrics written by Buddy Bernier and sung by Edythe Wright. Audio provided by Dorothy Emmerich.
Also listen to a 1937 "The Big Apple" song by Ozzie Nelson and his Orchestra. See a 1929 photo of John J. Fitz Gerald and a 1931 photo of John J. Fitz Gerald.
This site is edited by Barry Popik.