There have been some major changes in the wit structure, it was announced yesterday. Most shocking of all is that sarcasm has been moved from its position as the lowest form of wit, to somewhere around mid-table. A spokesperson for sarcasm said "we are really, really happy with this. I mean, this is the greatest thing that has happened to any of us, ever."

The change was long overdue. Sarcasm was originally placed at the bottom of the wit list in the mid-1860s, but pressure groups have long pushed for this to be reconsidered as new genres of humour are born. Sarcasm has been replaced by jokes that involve people being kicked in the groin. Noted groin kicker, Harry Scrocum, said, "I'm surprised, but I know it's time I made some changes. Maybe during my next tour I'll use some new material and try to branch out. I used to know quite a lot of good jokes about queers." Queer-based comedy came in at a respectable eleventh.

Still considered the highest form of wit, and remaining at the top of the list is political satire. A leading group of political satirists, the National Institute of Political Satire (NIPS), commented, "Well, George W. Bush makes lists, and then he invaded Iraq, which wasn't a very good decision at all, now, was it?" Other notable changes include slapstick falling down six places and a flight of stairs, and punning remaining in the same place, even though the fishmonger asked for it back.