BS: Jokes people don't get

Subject: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 29 Jul 12 - 12:21 AM

An example. There is a well-known phrasebook of Australian usage, "Let's Talk Strine" by Afferbeck Lauder. No-one else to whom I have mentioned it had, until I pointed it out, got the significance of the author's pseudonym.

Did you?

Any similar examples?

~Michael~

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: Little Hawk
Date: 29 Jul 12 - 01:57 AM

No idea what it means, mate.

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 29 Jul 12 - 02:17 AM

my mrs reckons americans still have poorly developed sense of irony
which maybe explains why they are so troubled by British sarcasm and friendly piss taking.

I think HBO shows evidence that an advanced american sense of humour
is progressively atempting to more than disprove this...??


Unfortunately some older more conservative mudcat mods
are maybe more inclined to my wife's version of american humour reality.


But I am forever an optimist and cant resist mischieviously testing their boundaries.

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 29 Jul 12 - 02:28 AM

LH ~ Try saying the name aloud...

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: GUEST,999
Date: 29 Jul 12 - 03:28 AM

"Jokes people don't get"

Mitt Romney

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: gnu
Date: 29 Jul 12 - 05:32 AM

Right... fill me in too eh. Offer back? Off her back?

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: GUEST,Grishka
Date: 29 Jul 12 - 05:35 AM

As usually, Wikipedia has the solution, and also the correct title of the book. Both are not meant to be understood by us bloody furrnz (or "international persons" - as I was once addressed Down Under, meant as a euphemism), that's the fun of it.

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 29 Jul 12 - 05:40 AM

Yes, MtheGM - that's been around for ages. But then so have we.

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: GUEST,giovanni
Date: 29 Jul 12 - 05:48 AM

Must be a real hoot round MtheGM's house, eh lads?

g

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: Little Robyn
Date: 29 Jul 12 - 05:51 AM

There's also a book of New Zild, similar to Strine but there are differences.
I used to like Charley Chum Puck - you know, the Aussie song asks where he sat....
Where sat Charlie Chum Puck?
Also the noisy fellow, Whisperoo Des........
Hush, hush, Whisperoo Des, Christopher Robin is saying his prayers.
I'm not sure where my copy is now - we used to speak it quite a lot back about 45 years ago but the memory is fading.
Robyn

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 29 Jul 12 - 05:54 AM

The danger is that Mitt Romney is a joke that people are likely to get.

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 29 Jul 12 - 06:10 AM

I've got Let's Talk Strine, and I love it. But the joke of Afferbeck Lauder depends on pronouncing Lauder as 'Lorder'. It could after all be pronounced 'Louder' in which case the joke is lost.
I also like the lady often alluded to in shops, Emma Chisit.
and the girl from the well-known nursery rhyme, Lilma Smarfit.

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: Little Robyn
Date: 29 Jul 12 - 06:29 AM

Found it - New Zild and how to speak it by Arch Acker - A Kiwi's answer to Strine. He has a dedication too - To Ellen Beck.
There are a few songs mentioned - can you recognise them?

Near Whizzy Air,
Aloha low, who shall I defriend,
Few news oozy,
Wider while a view,
There loys spear Ninglan,
Orlon eye skirls lava sailor,
Whole my end, I missed ranger in Parrot-eyes,
Eyesore Yule a snide ingot the dole feeling,
Thug hurler dye Mary,
I minim Hoover laugh,
Heavier wear verbena cross this eat awhile end?
And of course, the NZ National anthem, Gaudy fair Newzild.

It helps to say them out loud.
Robyn

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: kendall
Date: 29 Jul 12 - 06:38 AM

When you say "Americans" you are taking in a huge territory. Maine is known for its sense of humor; so is Texas and Vermont. Utah, not so much.

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: gnu
Date: 29 Jul 12 - 06:43 AM

"depends on pronouncing Lauder as 'Lorder" Yes, of course. How silly of me!

Now, how should I pronounce/break down "Afferbeck"?

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: Little Robyn
Date: 29 Jul 12 - 06:49 AM

Hint - the books are printed as dictionaries - A, B, C etc.
in afferbeck lauder.
Robyn

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: gnu
Date: 29 Jul 12 - 06:54 AM

Kendall... timing is everything!

I wonder how many will "get" that joke on all levels.

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: Bill D
Date: 29 Jul 12 - 09:55 AM

His books make a certain point...once you learn to read them.

What *I* wonder is whether those who talk like the examples actually get the point. Don't people have ANY idea that some of their speech is almost unintelligible to those outside their cultural group?

(Books have been done about Texas, Maine, etc., that use the same basic technique. There even used to be a semi-regular feature in The Saturday Evening Post magazine about a guy who told stories in some unnamed 'dialect'. The one I remember was about going to Florida and and driving over the "Phonecian Cow Sway" [Venetian Causeway])

Texas 'joke': "Ah wuz drivin' cross mah wrainch, when mah truck broke down, so Ah got out a wrainch to fix it, but Ah got mah hands pretty dirty and had to wrainch 'em off, and then when Ah tried to put the wrainch away, Ah wrainched mah elbow."

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: Bobert
Date: 29 Jul 12 - 10:13 AM

Well, back in the late 60s there were a ton of stupid jokes that my parents and their friends though were funny that weren't funny at all... Just stupid...

The one that comes to mind that had them howling was:

What's the difference between a duck???

Answer: One of his feet is both the same...

I mean, that is one stupid joke... It could be explained if my parents generation was into drugs but they weren't... Heavy drinkers, however...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: Ed T
Date: 29 Jul 12 - 10:29 AM

"Jokes people dont get" is different from, "jokes people dont understand", and "jokes people dont find funny". I also suspect there are (to mention a few factors) regional, generational, cultural and historic differences in what is seen (broadly) as funny.

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: Charmion
Date: 29 Jul 12 - 10:59 AM

The whole point of What is the difference between a duck? and its British variant Why s an orange? is that there's nothing to get; the whole proposition is absurd. Our grandparents and great-grandparents loved absurdity, which s why we have Alice in Wonderland and the Oz books, the verse of Edward Lear and the entire oeuvre ofGilbert and Sullivan.

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: gnu
Date: 29 Jul 12 - 11:23 AM

I prefer Malice in Blunderland by Allan Fotheringham.

Not in a million years would I have guessed alphabetical order. I still don't see how it can be twisted that way so I guess I have never heard a proper Aussie accent.

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: Bill D
Date: 29 Jul 12 - 12:15 PM

..and more precisely, the difference between a duck is: "Because either of his legs is both the same."

No wonder you didn't get it, Bobert...they didn't know the answer.. ;<)

Oh... by the way... did you hear about the Polar bear who came up out of a hole in the ice and said "radio!"?

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: Little Hawk
Date: 29 Jul 12 - 12:15 PM

It took me ages to get it. Finally did. Alphabetical order, is it?

If so, I think it's been stretched a bit too far. I don't find it funny, just odd.

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 29 Jul 12 - 12:32 PM

Two parrots on a perch.
One says "I smell fish!"

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 29 Jul 12 - 01:16 PM

I had to go to Wikipedia to get the translation of Aferbeck Lauder.
Most peculiar.


Does anyone remember "candles in the ears, you know!"

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 29 Jul 12 - 01:24 PM

No, Q, but I do remember 'four candles' by the two Ronnies.

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 29 Jul 12 - 01:31 PM

By the way, I imagine the 'radio' joke is similar to the 'Mornington Crescent' on "I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue" with Humphrey Littleton. In fact, on reflection, I bet quite few non-Brits would find the whole series of "Round The Horn", I'm Sorry I'll Read That Again" etc completely unintelligible! For a start, one needed to know what Paroli is (Julian and my friend Sandy), and the songs of Rambling Sid Rumpole make no sense at all, but are screamingly funny and rather rude. Even the Goons are a mystery to many.

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 29 Jul 12 - 01:55 PM

For a start, one needed to know what Paroli is
Guest, Eliza, the word is Polari, and I think it can best be described as "The queens' English"

Cheers

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 29 Jul 12 - 02:06 PM

One from Crackerjack, at least 40-odd years old:



What do Jimmy Edwards and Lulu have in common?


They both have moustaches, except Lulu.

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 29 Jul 12 - 02:11 PM

Of course it is, sorry Nigel! I believe Paroli is a betting system!

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: GUEST,Stan
Date: 29 Jul 12 - 02:14 PM

The old jokes are not always the best. Anyone remember "Send three and fourpence, we're going to a dance"?

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: Bert
Date: 29 Jul 12 - 02:22 PM

If a 'joke' is so obscure that most people don't get it, then it really isn't (or maybe is) really a joke.

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 29 Jul 12 - 02:34 PM

Stan, yes, I remember that one. And to me, it IS funny! (In case anyone doesn't know it, it's supposed to be "Send re-inforcements, we're going to advance", but the words got garbled en route.

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: YorkshireYankee
Date: 29 Jul 12 - 02:43 PM

For those not already familiar with it: "Four Candles" by the Two Ronnies

Enjoy!

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: Joe_F
Date: 29 Jul 12 - 08:01 PM

Sometimes not getting it is the point of the joke. Once upon a time one American student said to another, "My car can hold 71 people -- two in front and 69 in the back." After a pause, a Chinese student asked, "What does 'two in front' mean?"

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: Ebbie
Date: 29 Jul 12 - 08:04 PM

Not a joke, at all. Reminds me more of Brits' so persistent (and not teddibly cute) mangling of words. "Afferbeck Lauder = alphabetical order": Alfabeckl awder. huh

Kind of a reach, wouldn't you say?

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: Bugsy
Date: 29 Jul 12 - 08:35 PM

"I believe Paroli is a betting system!"

No Eliza, "Paroli" is what Italians get when they get out of prison early.


Cheers

Bugsy

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 29 Jul 12 - 11:07 PM

Ebbie ~~ Not Brits in this case. Point is that it is an Oz book...

~M~

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: GUEST
Date: 29 Jul 12 - 11:42 PM

"What does 'two in front' mean?"
This indicates a cavalier ignorance of what's coming up behind.

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: Little Hawk
Date: 30 Jul 12 - 01:22 AM

I told my budgies the one about the 2 parrots on the perch. They stared at me in befuddlement. It seems that most birds don't have a very acute sense of smell, and most of them wouldn't even notice the smell of a fish, so they didn't get the joke.

Now two dogs sitting on a perch would definitely notice the fishy odor! I've known dogs to go miles to find a dead fish to roll in.

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: Bugsy
Date: 30 Jul 12 - 03:45 AM

Little Hawk, that post brought to mind the joke about the Jewish dog and the Catholic dog.
They were walking along the road together and when they stopped at the corner, the Jewish dog cocked his leg up and piddled all over the Catholic dog.

The Catholic dog shook himself and said, "If this wasn't a Friday, I'd bite your balls off!"

Not many people get that one either.

Cheers

Bugsy

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: Ebbie
Date: 30 Jul 12 - 03:51 AM

MtheGM, that's what I meant: it "reminds me more of Brits'" than I think of New Zealanders.

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: GUEST,Grishka
Date: 30 Jul 12 - 04:09 AM

One of the worst insults to an Australian boasting her or his dialect is replying "Yeah, that's what we say in Sheffield too!" - or Corkshire - or, worst, Kansas.

YorkshireYankee (29 Jul 12 - 02:43 PM): luved it. Though the customer only got one four candle.

Polite non-locals should praise the local dialect as colourful and imaginative - wherever they travel. And let them have their fun, if they have nothing better to be proud of ;-)

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: GUEST, topsie
Date: 30 Jul 12 - 06:09 AM

"It seems that most birds don't have a very acute sense of smell, and most of them wouldn't even notice the smell of a fish, so they didn't get the joke"

A recent news item claimed that research has shown that birds have such a good sense of smell that they can tell which other birds are close relatives, and so choose mates from a different gene pool.

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 30 Jul 12 - 06:15 AM

LOL Bugsy!

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 30 Jul 12 - 06:21 AM

-----MtheGM, that's what I meant: *it* "reminds me more of Brits'" than I think of New Zealanders.-----
,..,.,

*What* does, Ebbie? & where do NZ-ers come into it ~ who mentioned them?

Regret I do not understand your post at all. Could you clarify, please, if not too much of a bore?

Best

~Michael~

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: Ebbie
Date: 30 Jul 12 - 03:50 PM

MtheGM, that's what I meant: *it* "reminds me more of Brits'" than I think of New Zealanders.-----

OK- first, the New Zealanders designation was an error, from another thread.

I was saying that the Aussie author's name reminded me more of the linguistic shortcuts that Brits make than of Australian speech. And yes, I do know a few Stralians.

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: GUEST,CS
Date: 30 Jul 12 - 04:59 PM

I think I've never laughed so much as I did when I first saw Vic & bob's Badger Watch. What made it even funnier is that we had a friend over at the time, who sat silently through the whole thing, permanently wearing a mildly perplexed quizzical expression while we were doubled up, in tears, howling throughout. I love funny stuff, not so much a fan of the 'da da' punchline style joke though.

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 30 Jul 12 - 05:56 PM

We often have stuff about the kind of humour which people in Britain go in for, but which Americans in particular are said not to get.

It would be interesting to see some examples of types of humour which Americans (or oters) find hilarious, but has been found to leave people in Britain bemused rather than amused.

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: Little Robyn
Date: 30 Jul 12 - 05:56 PM

MtheGM and Ebbie, New Zilders are there next to the Strines. The song list is in New Zild - has anyone figured them out?
For example, There loys spear Ninglan = There'll always be an England.
We've been accused of being lazy speakers. Actually, I don't really speak that way but some Kiwis do.
How about this one? Aloha low, who shall I defriend?
Robyn

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 30 Jul 12 - 06:02 PM

Oosa li'l gelli baiya sigh?

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: Little Robyn
Date: 30 Jul 12 - 06:24 PM

Correct.
How about
Heavier wear verbena cross this eat awhile end?

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: GUEST,Grishka
Date: 30 Jul 12 - 07:25 PM

Ebbie, among us, I agree that funnier jokes do exist. But I am a personal eye witness that many Aussies were very fond of that book in the 1980s, and identified with its contents. As I said, the main fun about it is to pretend that locals "get" the jokes and foreigners (notably including Brits alias "Poms") don't. Travelers are best advised to join in the game.

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: GUEST,Ginger Balzac
Date: 30 Jul 12 - 09:24 PM

I've got a drinking problem





My favourite pub just burnt down

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: YorkshireYankee
Date: 30 Jul 12 - 11:55 PM

I've managed a few, Little R, but by no means all...

Near Whizzy Air -- no idea!
Aloha low, who shall I defriend -- Hello, hello, who's your lady friend?
Few news oozy -- If you knew Suzy
Wider while a view -- Why do I love you
There loys spear Ninglan -- I was completely mystified by this one!
Orlon eye skirls lava sailor -- All the nice girls love a sailor
Whole my end, I missed ranger in Parrot-eyes -- Hold my hand, I'm a stranger in Paradise
Eyesore Yule a snide ingot the dole feeling -- I saw you last night and got that old feeling
Thug hurler dye Mary -- The girl that I marry
I minim Hoover laugh -- I'm in/I mean I'm(?) over(?) love
Heavier wear verbena cross this eat awhile end? -- Have you ever been across the sea to Ireland?
And of course, the NZ National anthem, Gaudy fair Newzild -- Go to fair New Zealand(?)

Sew... Ow dye dew?

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: Little Robyn
Date: 31 Jul 12 - 12:32 AM

OK Yorkshire Yankee, you did very well.
Near Whizzy Air -- Now is the hour
Aloha low, who shall I defriend -- Hello, hello, who's your lady friend?
Few news oozy -- If you knew Suzy
Wider while a view -- Why do I love you
There loys spear Ninglan -- There'll always be an England
Orlon eye skirls lava sailor -- All the nice girls love a sailor
Whole my end, I missed ranger in Parrot-eyes -- Hold my hand, I'm a stranger in Paradise
Eyesore Yule a snide ingot the dole feeling -- I saw you last night and got that old feeling
Thug hurler dye Mary -- The girl that I marry
I minim Hoover laugh -- I'm in the mood for love
Heavier wear verbena cross this eat awhile end? -- Have you ever been across the sea to Ireland?
And the NZ National anthem, Gaudy fair Newzild -- God defend New Zealand

Robyn

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: framus
Date: 31 Jul 12 - 07:24 PM

Interesting thread, but mostly gobbledeygook to a poor oul superannuated Paddy. Most Brits haven't got us yet!

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T
Date: 31 Jul 12 - 07:43 PM

Jokes that the majority of Brits don't get must include:-

G W Bush
Dick Cheney
Rush Limbaugh
John McCain
Mitt Romney
And, of course, the rest of the "Republican Party" (sounds like re-born UK pub landlords, and has about the same chance of running the country).

Well, you did ask...............
Don T.

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: kendall
Date: 31 Jul 12 - 07:52 PM

My car is a Chevy Impala. Above the Impala I wrote VLAD THE

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: Bill D
Date: 31 Jul 12 - 08:29 PM

American:

"Jeet?"

"No...sgweet"




"Have you eaten yet?"

"No, let's go eat."

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: YorkshireYankee
Date: 31 Jul 12 - 10:27 PM

Thanks for the answers, Robyn! (I think the ones I didn't get would not have come to me no matter how long I thought about 'em!)

Here's one that puzzled me the first time I saw it written down (I thought maybe it was someone's name): Donchano (i.e. Don't ya know)

Also (thanks to this thread), have recollected the absolutely brilliant "Ladle Rat Rotten Hut" (which I haven't thought of in a loooong time).

Words & more info here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQAh6OnBgM4

This version of Little Red Riding Hood was written in 1940 by a professor of French named H. L. Chace, who wanted to show his students that intonation - that is, the melody of a language - is an integral part of its meaning. The words here are all common English words, but not the ones you'd expect to tell the story of Little Red Riding Hood.

Ladle Rat Rotten Hut

Wants pawn term, dare worsted ladle gull hoe lift wetter murder inner ladle cordage, honor itch offer lodge dock florist. Disk ladle gull orphan worry ladle cluck wetter putty ladle rat hut, an fur disk raisin pimple colder Ladle Rat Rotten Hut...

Enjoy!

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: GUEST,999
Date: 31 Jul 12 - 10:47 PM

First time--until about the 12th time I said the following--I didn't 'get it'.

WHALE
OIL
BEEF
HOOKED

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 01 Aug 12 - 12:24 AM

Mitt Romney, He is an American Borat right?

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: framus
Date: 01 Aug 12 - 04:35 PM

You probably will be, Guest!

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: GUEST,Stan
Date: 01 Aug 12 - 04:57 PM

Should the name of Stanley Unwin be raised in this thread. There bare examples on UTube. An English comic from the 60s. Do our colonial friends get that?

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 01 Aug 12 - 05:22 PM

When we don't get a joke because we don't understand what's being said that is one thing, and it doesn't cause any problem when it's translated. Good fun.

But when we understand the language completely, and can't see why it's funny, that is quite another thing - and it's a lot more likely to cause upsets, because it implies a challenge to our sense of humour, and no one likes that.

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: GUEST,Ebor_Fiddler
Date: 01 Aug 12 - 05:56 PM

My favourite is the old Punch Cartoon, showing the noses of two hippopotemoi (Greek plural here, you'll notice, not Latin)sticking out of the water and one is saying "I keep thinking it's Tuesday".

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: GUEST,Ebor_Fiddler
Date: 01 Aug 12 - 05:59 PM

Or "What's the time Eccles?"

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: PHJim
Date: 02 Aug 12 - 12:17 AM

I saw these instructions for speaking like a Newfoundlander written on a kitchen wall in St. John's:

Whale   Oil   Beef    Hooked.

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: Little Robyn
Date: 02 Aug 12 - 07:52 AM

Colonials can enjoy Stanley Unwin
even if he's a bit strange. I like Goldiloppers.
Robyn

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: framus
Date: 02 Aug 12 - 08:21 PM

PROFESSOR Stanley Unwin, p leeese. He wasn't trying to have a joke at anybody's expense,just fecking about with our perception of language. And damn good he was!

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: GUEST,Lighter
Date: 02 Aug 12 - 09:09 PM

So Australians pronounce "alphabetical" as "afferbeckel"?

I'd think "affabay(d)ickil" would be more like it.

And I'd think Cockneys would say "ahfabayikoo."

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: Nick
Date: 03 Aug 12 - 07:16 PM

Two pink elephants walk into a pub at twenty to six in the evening and the barman says "Sorry lads he's not in yet"

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Aug 12 - 07:59 PM

Well done. I don't get that one.

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 03 Aug 12 - 08:57 PM

here's one for The Americans and anyone else under 50 to struggle 'getting'...



What's Greek and plays clarinet ?







Moussaka Bilk





[Sorry, it just popped into my head over dinner.
I fear I may have made that one up myself,
in which case I accept full blame
for unleashing a very shite joke on the world...]

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: gnu
Date: 04 Aug 12 - 05:49 AM

Nick... GREAT joke!

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: GUEST,Grishka
Date: 04 Aug 12 - 07:35 AM

Many jokes, including most of the above, can be "got" by searching the web. It may be too late for laughing then, but at least in written communication you can pretend to be witty. (As we saw, the main fun/abuse is often not the joke itself but the fact that some people don't get it.)

Wikipedia even informs us that "Pink elephants exist in nature, as albino elephants can be pink", and that Jack London coined the phrase. I guess its success in Britain was influenced by Cockney "being elephant's" (... trunk, to rhyme with "drunk").

Another useful (albeit unreliable) source is Urban Dictionary.

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 04 Aug 12 - 01:47 PM

I'm afraid my husband, being from West Africa, doesn't get many of my jokes. He takes everything literally. For instance, the other day we were looking at the Jobcentreplus site, and I happened to remark, "Well, if you pay peanuts, you get monkeys." He was amazed, and replied, "But monkeys can't be trained to do cleaning jobs ... can they?" I also said, "Even our cat Smoky knows you mustn't put plastic things in the green bin." And he replied, "He wouldn't be able to lift the lid, because it's too tall for him." I gave up.

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Aug 12 - 02:00 PM

What's yellow and highly explosive ?















Bananamite.

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: GUEST,Lighter
Date: 04 Aug 12 - 02:19 PM

Teaching, and posting to Mudcat, convinces me absolutely that a very large portion of the population (maybe most of it) doesn't "get" verbal irony, even when their favorite mode of argument is sarcasm.

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Mar 13 - 11:57 AM

I am supremely sorry that I only found this wonderful thread months too late. :(

I have really enjoyed it along with the posted YouTube links this morning. I has made my day.

So now I want to make a belated contribution - the absolutely brilliant book "Mots D'Heures: Gousses, Rames: The D'Antin Manuscript" published in 1967. I enjoyed it so much that I bought a copy. I was introduced to this without any explanation and had to figure it out for myself, which made it it even more hilarious when I did. So perhaps I should not give away the secret. But my reaction when I did twig it was "You rotters!"

I quote the first poem in this recently unearthed old-French collection of verses:

Un petit d'un petit
S'étonne aux Halles
Un petit d'un petit
Ah! degrés te fallent
Indolent qui ne sort cesse
Indolent qui ne se mène
Qu'importe un petit d'un petit
Tout Gai de Reguennes.

I handed this deadpan to a bilingual French-Canadian and after she read it and looked puzzled I said "Read it aloud". And then she killed herself laughing too.

If anyone is interested I'll give you the clue. I recognize that we live in a "gotta know now or we can't be bothered" world. But it goes against the grain to give you a clue before you've had a go at it.

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: gnu
Date: 03 Mar 13 - 01:20 PM

HAHAHAHAA.... HAD TO READ THE POEM TWICE AND CAUGHT IT THE SECOND TIME I READ THE FIRST LINE. oops... soooory

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: Mo the caller
Date: 03 Mar 13 - 04:53 PM

Sounds a bit scrambled to me.

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: Jeri
Date: 03 Mar 13 - 05:06 PM

Gnu, thanks. That was enough of a hint for me to get the first line. And the second. Now I have to try to figure out the rest.

It one doesn't get it, it might work better to read it aloud to someone else who is NOT reading the text. They'd be better able to tell you what you just said. Works with test scoring when the kids may be writing phonetically, but you've read the thing 10 times and it still doesn't make sense.

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: Jeri
Date: 03 Mar 13 - 05:15 PM

Between gnu and Mo, I got it. It's one of those things that, once you crack it, you get the the whole thing.

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: frogprince
Date: 03 Mar 13 - 11:29 PM

I may be poo out of luck because I'm not at all sure just how to pronounce it.

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: Rob Naylor
Date: 04 Mar 13 - 09:56 AM

Then there are jokes where you need a cetain level of knowledge to "get" them:

If you have a pizza with radius z and thickness a, it's volume is pizza.

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: Rob Naylor
Date: 04 Mar 13 - 09:59 AM

Or this one, which requires a bit more numeracy than the last:

Two mathematicians are in a restaurant, arguing. The first mathematician is complaining that the average citizen knows *nothing* about maths, people are idiots who don't even know how to check their change these days, and the world is generally going to hell in a handbasket.

The second mathematician is objecting, telling his friend that the situation isn't that bad, and warning him not to underestimate the average citizen's mathematical knowledge.

After much argument, the first mathematician staggers off to the toilet. The second mathematician calls the tired-looking young waitress over.

"How can I help you, sir?"

He hands her £20. "I'd like to play a little joke on my friend when he gets back. I'm going to ask you a question. When you answer, I want you to answer, 'x squared.' Can you do that for me?"

"Yes, sir, whatever."

After a few minutes, the first mathematician returns and sits down. The second mathematician says, "Look, I'll *show* you that the average citizen knows more about maths than you think they do." He waves the waitress over.

"Yes gentlemen, what can I do for you?"

"I just have a simple question for you, young lady. Can you tell me what the answer to the integral of 2x dx is?"

The waitress scrunches up her face: "er, I think so... it's… x squared."

The second mathematician leans back in his chair, looks at his friend, and smiles smugly.

Then the waitress, walking away, calls over her shoulder, "Plus a constant."




You either get that or you don't. Without some basic calculus, you just won't.

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: gnu
Date: 04 Mar 13 - 11:38 AM

Great stuff!

Froggy... this is gonna sound tres odd but just trust me. Try reading it without too much thought put into understanding it while at the same time... seriously... trying to imitate a French accent. No... I AIN'T shittin ya. Try it.

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: Mrrzy
Date: 04 Mar 13 - 11:46 AM

There are 10 kinds of people in the world - those who understand binary, and those who don't.

I have Mots D'Heures, Gousses, Rames where Un Petit d'Un Petit is from, Guest.

(And, I had to look up Afferbeck Lauder.)

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: Ron Davies
Date: 04 Mar 13 - 12:22 PM

"troubled by British sarcasm".   That's right, we Colonials have no concept of sarcasm.

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: Bill D
Date: 04 Mar 13 - 12:42 PM

Oh sibili, si ergo,
fortibuses in ero.
Nobili, demis trux.
Sowatis enum?
Cowsendux.

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: Pete Jennings
Date: 04 Mar 13 - 01:00 PM

Un petit d'un petit! Great! LOL!

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: frogprince
Date: 04 Mar 13 - 03:02 PM

It reminds me of the character in Pogo singing Christmas carols.

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: frogprince
Date: 04 Mar 13 - 03:04 PM

...characterS...

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: GUEST,DrWord
Date: 04 Mar 13 - 05:49 PM

To {From: GUEST
Date: 03 Mar 13 - 11:57 AM}
   Laugh myself sick!!!!! the un petit d'un petit is simply priceless. glad this thread made your day, and that you posted this!
keep on pickin' [& grinnin']
dennis

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: Bert
Date: 04 Mar 13 - 07:11 PM

The way I heard it Bill was

Der dago
forte lorez indero
demaint lorez demiz trux
fulla couzan enzen dux

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: Bugsy
Date: 05 Mar 13 - 12:15 AM

Hang in there Kiddo, sending you lots of love and big hugs.

Cheers

bugsy

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 05 Mar 13 - 01:20 AM

100

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: wysiwyg
Date: 05 Mar 13 - 10:06 AM

CROSS-CULTURAL TIP

We are WIRED to "hear" other cultures, and it's easy enough to pick up an ear for another culture's speech. Just download a free audiobook at Librivox read by a person from another culture and you can soon make most of it out if you relax and don't try too hard. THEN you can get in the door in conversation to sort out the confusions!

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: Jeri
Date: 05 Mar 13 - 10:31 AM

Frogprince, you get it yet?

We hear what we expect to hear. Some Americans don't get irony, but then it's really easy for an American who uses it to not be understood by a Brit who doesn't expect an American to do such a thing.

I had a friend I'm convinced thought it was the funniest thing in the world to tell people a "joke" that just wasn't funny, and then watch them try to get it. "It's funny because it's not funny? OK, well, whatever..."

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: frogprince
Date: 05 Mar 13 - 11:01 AM

Yo, Jeri; ya, finally, finally, last evening it clicked for me. I was pretty sure it was just about the flow of sound, but I had very little idea of how a lot of it really should sound in French.

I took it along to the local Tim's where we hang out most mornings, and asked if anybody could read French. No takers today, but someone said that one woman who does will probably be there tomorrow, so will see if I can get her to read it aloud for them, & see who catches on first.

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: Mrrzy
Date: 05 Mar 13 - 11:11 AM

I don't get it yet, Jeri, either!

Then there's the old standard Ladle Rat Rotten Hut for the monolingual Americans.

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: Bill D
Date: 05 Mar 13 - 11:39 AM

I have no idea how to sound out French, so I'll have to wait.


Bert... MY version was on a card on the wall of my Psychology professor in college in 1957... in the US, of course. Them lorez am BritLatin.

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: Bert
Date: 05 Mar 13 - 11:46 AM

Another Brit one for you Bill.

L O L O
A Q I C
I 8 2 Q
B 4 I P

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: Jeri
Date: 05 Mar 13 - 12:07 PM

Spoiler:
For those who can't work it out: "un petit, d'un petit", but don't do it until you've had somebody try reading it to you in a fakey French accent.

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: Mrrzy
Date: 05 Mar 13 - 12:48 PM

Then there was this joke my dad used to tell to great silence, except for once when one person got it.

An eagle was flying high in the sky when he met a soul. Ah, Eagle, said the soul by way of greeting. The eagle, being a discreet bird, said nothing.

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: frogprince
Date: 05 Mar 13 - 01:49 PM

Mrrzy, I kinda surprised myself by catching that one, at least after just a momentary blink.

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 05 Mar 13 - 05:03 PM

Good one ~~ but won't work in an American accent, I suspect.

~M~

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: Kenny B (inactive)
Date: 05 Mar 13 - 05:11 PM

I found i could finally post when i got a rount tuit

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: Kenny B (inactive)
Date: 05 Mar 13 - 05:14 PM

Or i have just returned from the Punic wars with the sweet smell of suksex or Soixant Niff as the more bilingual might say


Bi4 now

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: Mo the caller
Date: 06 Mar 13 - 01:53 PM

Memories from childrens parties in my youth - the game "the moon is round"
We'd sit in a circle,and pass round a pointer, each had to recite in turn, with suitable actions "the moon is round, it has 2 eyes a nose and a mouth can you do this?" And those in the know would say yes or no. Gradually more and more 'got' it and the actions would get more exagerated.

Then there was the riddle
If the B mt put:
If the B. putting :

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: Bill D
Date: 06 Mar 13 - 02:32 PM

L O L O
A Q I C...

Bert... I am JUST cognizant in BritSpeak to get that one. We almost never hear "Q" here, so it is mainly thru Mudcat that it registers.

ABCD goldfish
LMNO goldfish
OSAR goldfish

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: G-Force
Date: 06 Mar 13 - 02:45 PM

. . . CDBD eyes.

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: GUEST
Date: 06 Mar 13 - 04:05 PM

Funex ( more two Ronnies madness)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkWMcRlE1mQ

Subject: RE: BS: Jokes people don't get
From: Tug the Cox
Date: 06 Mar 13 - 04:12 PM

Sorry, wasn't logged in.