Patrick Oconnell
A popular riddle that plays with the production process of cheese asks, What cheese is made backwards? The answer is the famous Dutch hard cheese, Edam, as it is the reverse spelling of the word made.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Answer | Edam |
| Type of joke | Brainteaser, riddle |
| Complexity | Simple |
| Misdirection | Production process of cheese |
| Language specificity | English |
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What You'll Learn
The joke
What cheese is made backwards? This joke is a play on words, and the answer is a type of cheese that, when spelled backwards, is a homophone for a common English word relating to creation or production. The joke asks the question: "What cheese is made backwards?" The answer is "Edam"—a hard Dutch cheese. When spelled backwards, "Edam" is "mad e"—or "made," the past participle of the verb "to make." Thus, the joke humorously suggests that Edam cheese is "made" backwards.
Additionally, the joke may have a subtle cultural layer. Edam cheese is a well-known variety that originated in the Netherlands. By referencing this specific cheese, the joke may evoke a sense of European culinary tradition, adding a touch of familiarity and shared cultural knowledge to the humor.
Overall, the "What cheese is made backwards?" joke is a clever wordplay that leverages the homophonic relationship between the words "made" and "Edam." It invites us to think creatively about language, sound, and the process of cheese-making, offering a playful twist on the idea of creation and transformation.
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The answer
The joke relies on the listener's familiarity with the cheese variety Edam, which is a type of semi-hard cheese that is typically made in the Netherlands. It has a mild, slightly salty flavour and a creamy texture. The name "Edam" is derived from the name of the town of Edam in the Netherlands, where the cheese was historically sold and became a major trading commodity.
By asking, "What cheese is made backwards?", the joke sets up a play on words, inviting the listener to think about the process of cheese-making and the concept of reversing that process. The joke suggests that if the process of making cheese were reversed, it would result in the cheese variety Edam.
The humour in the joke lies in the unexpected connection between the process of cheese-making and the name of a specific cheese variety. It also highlights the homophonic nature of words and how a slight change in spelling or pronunciation can lead to a completely different meaning.
Additionally, the joke may also allude to the idea that Edam cheese is so simple and versatile that it can be made even by reversing the traditional cheese-making process. This adds a layer of wordplay and cleverness to the joke, making it a fun and light-hearted play on words and language.
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Edam cheese
The joke "What cheese is made backwards?" has been in print since at least 1939 and the answer is "Edam". This is because the word "Edam" is the word "made" spelled backwards.
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The riddle
This joke is an example of a palindrome, a word or phrase that reads the same backward as forward. The joke also employs misdirection, leading the listener to think about the production process of cheese rather than the homophonic nature of the words. The riddle is a clever and humorous way to play with language and cheese-related terminology.
While the joke is simple, it is quite clever in its use of homophones and palindromes. It is a great example of how a joke can be both cringe-worthy and funny at the same time, often referred to as a "dad joke". The delivery of the joke is crucial, and the groan-worthy nature of the punchline is part of its charm.
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Misdirection
The key to a great riddle is misdirection. In the case of the "What cheese is made backwards?" joke, the questioner leads the listener or reader to think about the production process of cheese. This is a clever way to throw the recipient of the joke off the scent, as the joke has nothing to do with the process of making cheese. Instead, the riddle is asking the recipient to determine the name of the cheese that results from reversing the word "made". The answer, of course, is Edam.
The joke relies on the homophonic nature of the words "made" and "Edam". When spoken aloud, these words sound very similar, if not identical, depending on the speaker's accent. This similarity in sound is what makes the joke work. When the listener or reader realizes that the joke is not about the process of making cheese, but rather about the sound of the word "made" reversed, they experience a moment of surprise or delight.
It's worth noting that the joke only works in English due to the specific sound of the word "made" in that language. In other languages, the word for "made" may not have the same sound or spelling, so the joke would not translate directly.
Additionally, the town of Edam in the Netherlands is also famous for its cheese, adding another layer of interest to the joke. So, while the joke is a play on words, it also has a connection to the real-world production of cheese, making it a clever and multi-layered example of misdirection.
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Frequently asked questions
Edam.
Because the word "Edam" is the word "made" spelled backwards.
Yes, there is a town called Edam in the Netherlands.
Yes, Edammer is a type of cheese that comes from the town of Edam.
