This famous riddle asks: What is black and white and “read” all over?
The classic answer is: a newspaper.
The joke depends on a play on words. Newspapers have traditionally been printed in black ink on white paper, so they are literally black and white. They are also “read” all over by people who pick them up to learn the news.
The riddle sounds like it is describing a color, because “read” sounds exactly like “red” when spoken aloud. That sends your mind in the wrong direction before the wordplay becomes clear.
It is one of the best-known English riddles because it is short, easy to remember, and built around a clever homophone that works immediately once you hear the answer.
