Final Answer:
The saying is a humorous comment because it plays on the double entendre of the sun never setting on the British Empire, implying the vastness of the empire that spanned across different time zones. The punchline, "because God didn't trust the English in the dark," adds a comedic twist by suggesting a lack of trust in the English when it's dark, playing on stereotypes about the English.
Step-by-step explanation:
The saying humorously alludes to the historical reality that the British Empire was so extensive that, at certain points in history, it was daylight in some part of the empire at all times. The phrase "the sun never sets on the British Empire" was a testament to the vastness of the territories under British rule. The humor arises from the unexpected twist in the punchline, where the speaker suggests that the reason for the sun always shining on the empire is not geopolitical but rather divine – implying that God didn't trust the English in the dark. This adds a playful element by attributing a humorous, human characteristic to God.
The joke cleverly combines historical and cultural elements, using a well-known historical fact about the British Empire and incorporating a play on words to create a witty punchline. The stereotype about the English lacking trustworthiness in the dark adds an element of absurdity and surprise to the statement, contributing to its humor. Humor often arises from unexpected twists or incongruities, and this saying encapsulates that principle by blending historical reality with a playful interpretation.
Full Question:
Why is the saying, "The sun never set on the British Empire ... because God didn't trust the English in the dark," considered a humorous comment?