A popular ghost riddle is:
Q: When does a ghost have breakfast?
A: In the moaning.
The riddle has been cited in print since at least 1996, when it was included in a Halloween joke list.
Google Groups: soc.culture.filipino
HAPPY HALLOWEEN
Gorgeous
10/22/96
(...)
Q. When does a ghost have breakfast?
A. In the moaning.
Google Books
Extreme Monsters Joke Book
By Nikki Bataille Lange
Illustrated by Tim Stuby
Columbus, OH: Brighter Minds Children’s Publishing
2005
Pg. 15:
When do ghosts have breakfast?
In the moaning!
Google Books
Let’s Eat in the Funny Zone
By Gary Chmielewski
Chicago, IL: Norwood House Press
2008
Pg. 7:
When do ghosts eat cereal?
In the moaning!
Twitter
Angels Fancy Dress
@fdress
Good morning! Thinking of Halloween today (pays to be prepared!) When does a ghost have breakfast? In the moaning! (via http://bit.ly/R4ZWK)
2:14 AM - 14 Jul 2009
Google Books
The Funniest Spooky Joke Book Ever
By Joe King
London: Andersen Press
2013
Pg. ?:
When does a ghost have breakfast?
In the moaning.
Google Books
Scooby-Doo Monster Jokes
By Michael Dahl
Illustrated by Scott Jeralds
North Mankato, MN: Stone Arch Books
2015
Pg. 22:
When do ghosts wake up?
In the moaning!
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:
•
Entry in progress—BP (6/7)
•
“Cheez-Its are goldfish for adults” (6/7)
•
“Tread on those who tread on you” (6/7)
•
“Sometimes reasonable men must do unreasonable things” (6/7)
•
Entry in progress—BP (6/7)
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.