One story which my father swears is true and was later used by [late North UK comedian] Les Dawson (and me), concerns a radio DJ. The DJ says, over the air, "Now we've had a request for this next record, for John Smith who is one hundred and eleven. Isn't that a remarkable age ? Anyway here is [track]". After the track finishes, the DJ comes back on the air and says, rather humbly, "I'm very sorry. That last record was apparently requested for John Smith who is ILL."


An old chestnut of a computer story, from the days of room-sized mainframes concerns a manager who shows some corporate guests round the computer operation. He points to a big cabinet covered with flashing lights and orders the nearest Tech. to tell the visitors what task it is engaged on. The Tech. says, "Well, it's cooling the room. That's the air conditioner. The computer is over there."

A lot of the jokes I use seem to have periodicity, rather like Halley's comet; it takes x years for everyone to forget about it and for it to reappear.