Do puns and jokes make you more intelligent

Ginbottle asks:
A. That's debatable, and it may depend on whether you're making them up or telling them. Or, indeed, whether you get the joke or not. However, there's a theory that being intelligent enough to make jokes and puns is an ability that has evolved to make men sexually attractive.

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Q. Come again
A. Geoffrey Miller, an evolutionary psychologist at University College, London, published a book about it last year. Called the Mating Mind: How sexual choice shaped the evolution of human nature, it explains how our ancestors had to prove their prowess at more than just tracking bison if they wanted to be a hit in the bedroom.

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Q. Bagging bison wasn't enough
A. No, they had to be clever and witty, too, in a Neolithic sort of way, of course. The theory is that, if they wanted to impress potential mates, they required bigger brains to give them the extra, winning 'abilities', such as scintillating conversation and an appreciation of the arts. If a male made you laugh, sparked your interest and told good stories, reasoned Miller, then you were more likely to be predisposed to mate with him. And, of course, women's brains had to grow, too, in order to be able to judge who was the most entertaining male.

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Q. Sounds like fun. Does it still work
A. I'll say. Last year the leading men's magazine FHM carried out a survey to find the most effective way to a woman's heart: 74% of 18 to 34-year-old women rated a sense of humour as essential in a partner, compared to a good body (6%).

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Q. It that why women think Baddiel and Skinner are sexy
A. Now now. It certainly seems as if the flair required to tell a good story, together with a talent for one-liners would enhance any male's attractiveness to women. So, cynics beware - arm yourself with a joke book!

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Do you have something to say about jokes and intelligence Post your opinion here.

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By Sheena Miller

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