Folklore: Circulation of jokes

Subject: Folklore: Circulation of jokes
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 22 Oct 17 - 08:27 PM

This is one that has had me thinking for a while.
We all know that we hear jokes, and often hear the same joke from several sources. It is very difficult ( as with 'true' folk songs) to identify exactly what the original is.
I thought I might post (what I consider to be) an original joke both here, and on Facebook. And then to see how long it takes to get back to me, or to anyone who reads the 'original'

Just to 'set the scene', here's a joke I've heard from different sources, but which deals with the theme I'll use.


Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson decide to go on a camping trip. After dinner and a bottle of wine, they lay down for the night, and go to sleep.
Some hours later, Holmes awoke and nudged his faithful friend.
"Watson, look up at the sky and tell me what you see."
Watson replied, "I see millions of stars."
"What does that tell you?"

Watson pondered for a minute.
"Astronomically, it tells me that there are millions of galaxies and potentially billions of planets."
"Astrologically, I observe that Saturn is in Leo."
"Horologically, I deduce that the time is approximately a quarter past three."
"Theologically, I can see that God is all powerful and that we are small and insignificant."
"Meteorologically, I suspect that we will have a beautiful day tomorrow."
"What does it tell you, Holmes?"

Holmes was silent for a minute, then spoke: "Watson, you idiot. Someone has stolen our tent!"

My joke, on a similar theme, is a discussion between Sherlock Holmes & Dr John Watson:

Holmes: Watson, I've noticed recently that I'm having digestive problems, possibly related to my use of 'recreational' drugs. I am only coping with these by self-medicating with either prune juice, or liquorice.

Watson: No shit? Sherlock.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Circulation of jokes
From: Joe Offer
Date: 22 Oct 17 - 09:15 PM

Dang! I hadn't heard that joke, but Google has it listed 60,000 times. Guess it goes to show you that I don't get my humo(u)r on the Internet.
The Internet has changed the entire nature of jokes. Once upon a time, it may have taken a joke a whole generation to become a "groaner" that everyone had heard a dozen times. Nowadays with the Internet, it takes mere weeks for a joke to be born, died, and gone to heaven.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Folklore: Circulation of jokes
From: Mr Red
Date: 23 Oct 17 - 03:30 AM

How many light bulb jokes does it take to change a light bulb joke?

Subject: RE: Folklore: Circulation of jokes
From: Black belt caterpillar wrestler
Date: 23 Oct 17 - 04:10 AM

Illuminate me.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Circulation of jokes
From: Michael
Date: 23 Oct 17 - 04:57 AM

There has to be a twist.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Circulation of jokes
From: GUEST,rewster
Date: 23 Oct 17 - 01:18 PM

Light bulb jokes! Oh yes!
C'mon everybody!

Subject: RE: Folklore: Circulation of jokes
From: GUEST,jinnipen
Date: 23 Oct 17 - 05:24 PM

Alimentary, my Dear Watson?

Subject: RE: Folklore: Circulation of jokes
From: Michael
Date: 23 Oct 17 - 05:34 PM

That, I presume, is your gut reaction.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Circulation of jokes
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 23 Oct 17 - 09:00 PM

Watson is struggling with his crossword.

"Any idea about this, Holmes? Three words: 'Large lemon-coloured flatfish with sting?'..."

"Yellow manta ray, my dear Watson."

"Ah, good." (pause). "What about this? - Two words: 'Burglar sets off loud bell as he breaks window'..."

"Alarm entry, my dear Watson."

"Brilliant, Holmes!" (pause). "Just one more, Holmes. Two words: 'Conservative pays ex-wife money'..."

"Alimony Tory, my dear Watson."

Subject: RE: Folklore: Circulation of jokes
From: Mr Red
Date: 24 Oct 17 - 04:38 AM

"Watson I have just found another (magnet made by Mr Red in 2007) on the door of The Lemonade Lady's wagon"

"A lemon entry, my dear Watson"

Subject: RE: Folklore: Circulation of jokes
From: Mr Red
Date: 24 Oct 17 - 04:42 AM

How many Celidh callers does it take to change a light bulb?

"Just one more couple, please"

How many Ceilidh dancers?

None, every time you circe left - it drops out.

You asked for circulation!

Subject: RE: Folklore: Circulation of jokes
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 24 Oct 17 - 04:57 AM

yes, I was enquiring about circulation of jokes.
I wasn't trying to start a joke thread, as there are several of those 'below the line'.

"The best laid plans . . ."

Subject: RE: Folklore: Circulation of jokes
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 24 Oct 17 - 05:14 AM

You're just jealous cos mine's better than yours! 😂

Subject: RE: Folklore: Circulation of jokes
From: Mr Red
Date: 24 Oct 17 - 05:59 AM

Hey Nigel - my first lightbulb joke WAS in keeping. It spoke of the Folk Process. I know - in the way of things people responded to the joke, not the (IMNSHO) cleverness. Despite my protestations maybe my third post didn't fool anyone that it kept to the OP.

Such is the nature of forums. Such is the fate of cleverness.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Circulation of jokes
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 24 Oct 17 - 07:44 AM

There are plenty of "a lemon tree, my dear Watson" variants, but one crossword one I forgot last night:

"Any idea about this one, Holmes? Three words: 'Done in Californian mode'...?"



"? la Monterey, my dear Watson."

Subject: RE: Folklore: Circulation of jokes
From: GUEST,Grishka
Date: 24 Oct 17 - 08:34 AM

"A mystery, dear Sherlock Holmes!
They all are gone, our garden gnomes!"
"Dear Watson, elementary:
They must have caught dysentery."

Now I wonder how long that one will take to circulate.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Circulation of jokes
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 24 Oct 17 - 09:51 AM

Huh? I'll try that again:

"? la Monterey, my dear Watson."

Nope. Preview sez no. I'll just have to drop the accent. Suck it and see:

"A la Monterey, my dear Watson."

Fingers crossed...

Subject: RE: Folklore: Circulation of jokes
From: Gurney
Date: 26 Oct 17 - 05:08 PM

You have to be careful where you tell jokes, though. Several years ago I told a joke to our circle of friends at the Auckland Folk Festival. Within four hours it was told from the stage at the main concert, by a festival guest from another country!

The joke was one that I'd got from this site and changed/personalised.
It was my version that was used on-stage.