What does a wall clock do after it stops ticking
The correct answer and explanation is:
Correct Answer:
It hangs around.
Explanation (300 Words):
This is a riddle or pun, rather than a literal question. The phrase “What does a wall clock do after it stops ticking?” plays on the double meaning of the words and the expectation of a literal answer.
The correct answer is: “It hangs around.”
This is a pun based on two meanings:
- Literal Meaning: A wall clock is typically mounted or “hung” on a wall. When it stops working (i.e., stops ticking), it often remains physically on the wall, unmoved. So, in a literal sense, the clock continues to “hang around.”
- Figurative Meaning: The phrase “hangs around” is an idiom meaning to remain in a place without doing much, to loiter, or to stay idle. This fits the situation of a non-functioning clock—it is still there but no longer serves its primary function of telling time.
The humor in the riddle comes from the clever use of this dual meaning. Such riddles are designed to be playful and witty, engaging listeners by making them think outside the box or interpret the question in a non-literal way.
In deeper terms, the riddle reflects a broader pattern seen in many jokes or wordplay riddles, where everyday objects or situations are given anthropomorphic or metaphorical interpretations. In this case, a non-working clock is humorously described using a phrase typically applied to people, enhancing its comedic effect.
From a linguistic standpoint, puns like this rely heavily on semantic ambiguity—a word or phrase that has more than one meaning. This type of humor is often used in children’s riddles, newspaper comics, and even sophisticated literature, showing how language can be manipulated creatively for entertainment.
So, while the answer might seem silly, it’s a great example of how wordplay works and why it can be so amusing.