The joke “How much does a polar bear weigh?” is typically followed by the punchline, “Enough to break the ice!” This joke plays on a couple of different layers of humor.
Play on Words: The phrase “break the ice” has a dual meaning. In one sense, it refers to the physical action of breaking through ice, which is relevant since polar bears live in icy environments. In another sense, “breaking the ice” is a common expression used to describe making people feel more comfortable in social situations or starting a conversation.
Surprise Element: The setup of the joke leads the audience to expect a numerical answer regarding the weight of a polar bear, which can be quite heavy (typically between 900 to 1,600 pounds for adult males). However, the punchline shifts the focus from a factual answer to a lighthearted social interaction, creating a humorous twist.
Overall, the humor lies in the clever wordplay and the unexpected turn from a serious question to a light-hearted comment about socializing.