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Radio Yerevan, or Armenian Radio jokes have been very popular in the Soviet Union and in other Communist countries of the ex-Eastern bloc since the second half of the 20th century.

These jokes of Q&A type are allegedly from the Question & Answer series of the Armenian Radio. A typical format of a joke was:

The Armenian Radio was asked: "<...>"

The Armenian Radio answers: "<...>".

Once established, this "headline" became a standard format of many Q&A jokes, and it is often difficult to recognize what was the original format of the joke. A further problem, or asset, with these jokes is that as many were passed from ear to mouth, they changed accordingly over time. Often the first step was affirming with "In principle yes" and then adding an explanation after the famous "but".

Examples of different structured Radio Yerevan jokes:

• no but (living standards)

The Armenian Radio was asked: "Is it possible to enjoy life to the fullest in the Soviet Union?"

The Armenian Radio answers: "Yes, if you like crowded trains."

• with the famous but (sex)

The Armenian Radio was asked: "Is it good to have sex with an open window?"

The Armenian Radio answers: "Yes, but with a woman it is better."

• typical formulation (censorship)

The Armenian Radio was asked: "Is it true that comrade cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin's car was stolen in Moscow during the celebrations?"

The Armenian Radio answers: "In principle yes, but it was not in Moscow, rather in Kiev, and it was not his car, but his bike and it was not comrade cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin, but comrade highschool teacher Gagarin and his first name was not Yuri, but Leonid..."

Outside the Soviet Union, mostly political jokes of the kind were known. Within the Soviet Union, the range of jokes covered all standard matters subject to humorous interpretation: mother-in-law, sex, national stereotypes, etc.

• Russian joke
• GDR jokes

• Lollerpedia Radio Yerevan jokes GFDL wiki
• Armenian Radio - Armenia Live
• "Radio Yerevan Jokes - Armeniapedia.org
• Armenian Radio Armenian radio stations on the web.