Some time back, Zelda was asking about
Christmas Crackers, following a discussion that started
here. These are common in the UK (and a few parts of the world with significant UK influence). They are common at meals, including lunch on Christmas day. The consist of what looks like the center cardboard tube from a toilet roll, covered with shiny paper and two ends or twists (sort of like a couple more toilet roll tubes). (In fact, as children, we would sometimes make them at school from toilet roll tubes.) One person would grab each and and pull them apart. In some, there is a something that is supposed to make a bang or crack when they are pulled apart. The "winner" is the person who gets the central tube into which are placed little trinkets. Typically this includes a cheap plastic toy (though "expensive" models exist...), a silly paper hat. There is also a "joke". At this point, it is important to realise that the "joke" in a cracker is to funny, what water is to a Zany Carter hangover. The winner usually puts on silly paper hat (if they are lucky, breaking it in the process) and reads out the joke. A couple of examples:
What bow can't be untied? A rainbow.
What's a frog's favourite drink? Croak-a-cola.
I suspect, for reasons best known to herself, Zelda would appreciate it if people posted more of these "jokes".
Despite what Wikipedia says, I suspect that the reason for their existance has something to do with a slight masochistic streak the English seem to have.