What do you call a bear with no teeth?

The humor here hinges entirely on a clever bit of wordplay. The punchline relies on the double meaning of the word "gummy." On one hand, it describes an animal that has lost its teeth and is left with only its gums. The setup primes you to think of this literal, slightly sad biological condition. The punchline, however, instantly swaps that image for a tiny, fruity confection, creating a silly and satisfying "aha" moment. It’s a classic bait (Review)-and-switch pun that works because both meanings fit the setup perfectly.

This joke gets an extra layer of sweetness when you realize the candy itself has a fun history. The original gummy bears were invented in the 1920s in Germany by Hans Riegel, founder of the Haribo company. He was inspired by the trained "dancing bears" that were common sights at European street festivals and markets. So, this simple joke not only plays on language but also connects an absurd image to a century-old candy legacy, making it a timeless groaner for all ages.