‘Why Do Cows Wear Bells?’ Riddle Explained plus 10 Equally Funny Cow Jokes

The “Why Do Cows Wear Bells?” riddle is a silly play on words that might go over some people’s heads. If you know the answer but can’t seem to get around it, read on for the explanation and treat yourself to some more cow jokes.

If you’ve come across the “Why do cows wear bells?” riddle, you probably already know the answer, but you need a little more clarity to really get the joke so you’re not left out.

Let’s go over it together, shall we?

A cow wearing a cowbell | Source: Shutterstock

‘Why Do Cows Wear Bells?’ Riddle Explained

The full riddle reads as follows:

Q: Why do cows wear bells?

A: Because their horns don’t work!

In English, the word “horns” has two general meanings. The first meaning of horns refers to hardened outgrowths that typically develop above an animal’s head and usually come in pairs.

The second meaning of horns refers to certain instruments designed to make a sound for various functional purposes, like a car horn or party blowhorn.

A blonde d'Aquitaine cow wearing a cowbell | Source: Shutterstock

Bells aren’t horns, but they do make tinkering sounds. Therefore, the answer to the “Why do cows wear bells?” riddle is both a play on words and a humorous jab at cows.

Although cow horns serve various purposes like establishing dominance, defense, and communicating with the herd, transmitting sound isn’t one of them. And that’s why they need bells (as far as the joke says, anyway).

Hopefully, that clears things up for you. Before you go back to your friends and brag, armor yourself with more cow jokes to keep up the entertainment. Enjoy!

A Swiss Simmental cow wearing a cowbell | Source: Shutterstock

10 Cow Jokes

1. What do you call a sleeping bull?

• Answer: A bulldozer

A cow sleeping | Source: Shutterstock

2. Why don’t cows have any money?

• Answer: Because farmers milk them dry

A farmer milking a cow | Source: Shutterstock

3. What did Mama Cow say to Baby Cow?

• Answer: It’s pasture bedtime

A white cow and a calf going to feed | Source: Shutterstock

4. What do you call cattle with a sense of humor?

• Answer: Laughing stock

A cow mooing | Source: Shutterstock

5. What do you name a cow that shakes trembling?

• Answer: Jerky beef

A sideviw of a cow seemingly smiling | Source: Shutterstock

6. What happened to the cattle that escaped?

• A. No one’s herd

A close up of two brown and white cows wearing bells | Source: Shutterstock

7. Why do cows have hooves instead of feet?

• Answer: They lactose

A cow standing next to a glass and jug of milk | Source: Shutterstock

8. How did the cow know he was noble?

• Answer: He was a Sir Loin

A cow laying in a field | Source: Shutterstock

9. Why don’t bulls play archery?

• They might hit a bulls-eye

A close up of a bull's eye | Source: Shutterstock

10. Say the word COW before each word.

1 - Cows

2 - About

3 - Talking

4 - Idiot

5 - This

6 - Got

7 - I

8 - Long

9 - How

10 - Look

A close-up photo of a brown and white cow | Source: Shutterstock

Now say the word COW After each word

1 - Cows

2 - About

3 - Talking

4 - Idiot

5 - This

6 - Got

7 - I

8 - Long

9 - How

10 - Look

A cow sticking out its tongue | Source: Shutterstock

Now say the word COW before AND after each word.

1 - Cows

2 - About

3 - Talking

4 - Idiot

5 - This

6 - Got

8 - Long

9 - How

10 - Look

A cow at a green summer meadow | Source: Shutterstock

Answer: Now read just the words upwards from the bottom.

1 - Cows

2 - About

3 - Talking

4- Idiot

5 - This

6 - Got

7 - I

8 - Long

9 - How

10 - Look

A happy cow | Source: Shutterstock

Hopefully, you had a good laugh with the cow jokes above. And now that you understand the answer to the “Why do cows wear bells?” riddle, are you up for something more challenging? See if you can decode the “Cindy has five kids” riddle next.