It can be hard being a lady in comedy, and that's not a recent phenomenon. Ovaries have long been known to sap our joke-making powers. In 1695, a famous playwright came up with what might well be the first "women aren't funny" line, only he said it in an old-timey way:

"I must confess, I have never made any observation of what I apprehend to be true humor in women ... If ever anything does appear comical or ridiculous in a woman, I think it is little more than an acquired folly or an affectation."

Andre Messager

"And couldst thou maketh me a sandwich?"

Over 300 years later, this sentiment is still all too common, just like other horrible things from the 17th century, like herpes and bangs on men. But I don't have any real dislike for the people who say it, because they probably don't think women are funny. In fact, even those of you who would never utter something so dickish out loud probably think it as well. And that's because, while women are just as funny as men, there are some scientific reasons behind why you think they aren't.