Ask any Chicagoan and they'll tell you they live in the funniest city in the country. And they now have a scientific study to back up their claim.
Researchers looked at how many comedy clubs were in each city, along with native-born famous comedians and how often humor-related Web searches were made. (Via YouTube / SkylinesHD)
OK, so it might not be the most scientific study out there. But in a press release, the study's co-author from the University of Colorado Boulder described their research, saying they looked for humor in people's daily lives.
"A city's sense of humor is a living, breathing thing, created by everything from coffee shop conversations to Web videos shared between friends to the laughter that erupts at comedy clubs." (Via University of Colorado Boulder)
Also ranking in the top 10 funniest cities are Boston; Atlanta; Washington, D.C.; Portland; New York City; Los Angeles; Denver; San Francisco; and Seattle. (Via One World - Nations Online)
One of the many staples of Chicago's comedy scene is the improv troupe Second City. Some famous faces who've graced their stage are Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Bill Murray and Stephen Colbert. (Via The Second City Network)
WFLDspoke with the vice president of Second City about why he thinks it's no surprise his city was just named the funniest.
"The thing I've noticed about what makes Chicagoans funny is the high brow and the low brow. We've got University of Chicago and Mike Ditka. And when those things collide, that's where comedy comes from."
A writer for USA Today notes researchers discovered that each city has its own sense of humor.
For example, people living in Chicago revel in situation-based humor, while Bostonians love their sarcasm.
Maybe they should start calling Chicago the Witty City.
