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No Joke: Funny Guys Score With Women

Study shows women think humor equals intelligence

By Evann Gastaldo, Newser Staff

Posted Apr 1, 2009 8:51 AM CDT

(Newser) – Go ahead and play that April Fool’s Day prank, guys: Women are attracted to funny men and think they're smarter than sourpusses, a new study shows. Though humor is not actually linked to smarts, “women use humor as an indication of a guy’s intelligence,” said the lead researcher. Ladies may want to hold off on the gags, though: The findings are not gender-neutral, the Telegraph reports.

“My weight was never a concern for me. I could always talk to women and make them laugh, so they tended to overlook my physical imperfections,” recalled one comedian. But a word of caution from the researcher: “Not just any gag will do. We discovered that the humor must be genuinely funny for the man to be judged as more intelligent.”

[Images (5)]

[Quotes (1)]

Men who make women laugh have a better shot with them, according to a new study cited in the Telegraph. (©ben_onthemove)

Women see funny men as more intelligent and honest, according to a new study cited in the Telegraph. (©Monica's Dad)

Want to pick up a girl? Make her laugh, the Telegraph says. (©Bonnie Bogle)

While women like funny men better, men don't necessarily like funny women better, the Telegraph reports. (©Jesse757)

These girls probably like whomever made them laugh, the Telegraph reports. (©indyplanets)

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A quick browse of lonely-hearts ads will confirm that women look for a good sense of humor in a potential partner. - Kristofor McCarty, study leader

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No Joke: Funny Guys Score With Women