When god said, let there be light, Chuck Norris said, “Say please.” Why is this joke funny? Or, at least it was funny a few years ago when Chuck Norris jokes were an internet favorite? Because in the joke, you are to believe Chuck Norris is more powerful than god.

I know, explaining a joke clearly makes it funnier. But in today’s episode, we’ll explore the feature God and Chuck Norris share that no doubt is seen as a contributing factor to their power -- at least according to jokes on the internet.

I’m your host, Emily Prokop, and this is The Story Behind Beards.

Thanks to Nick from the Epic Film Guys for providing a picture of his beard for the episode art!

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Media:

Music for Makers

Sources:

A Short History of Beard Styles - HistoryCoopersative.org

The Amazing History of Beards (INFOGRAPHIC) - Huffington Post

The Half-Mask - Slate.com

The History of the American Beard - The New Yorker

The Racially Fraught History of the American Beard - The Atlantic

Why Do Male Lions Have Manes? - Mental Floss

How Did Abe Lincoln Growing a Beard Kick Start Milton Bradley’s Gaming Career? - Legends Revealed

Why Ian McKellen Really Rejected the Role of Dumbledore - Vanity Fair

Why Does God Love Beards? - Slate

The Racially Fraught History of the American Beard - The Atlantic

The 20 Best Chuck Norris Facts - The Telegraph

5 Ways How Your Beard Affects People Around You - Balding Beards