"If you were going to shoot a mime, would you use a silencer?"

This quote by Steven Wright is a funny way of explaining the absurdity of the situation. It is a play on words, as the phrase "shoot a mime" is metaphorical, as mimes are not really shot. The phrase "silencer" is also metaphorical, as it is used to explain a gadget that stifles the noise of a gunshot. The quote is poking fun at the idea that a silencer would be necessary to shoot a mime, as mimes do not make any noise. The quote is a funny way of pointing out the ridiculousness of the situation, and it is a suggestion that often the most absurd scenarios can be the funniest.