A Little Humour: Three Snippets With Interesting Explanations
Edwin Salter, UK
Based in King's Lynn, Dr. Edwin Salter has particular interests in creative teaching, therapeutic communication, and speech. E-mail: kl.humanfactors@virgin.net
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Positive thinking
Here and there
Social success and history
(You may need an ex- for -planation!)
In search of tress
I need be funct
And ritable with friends.
I’ll surely pugn
My mood dulate,
All negatives suspend.
So dis and de
Ir, im and un
Are banished as you see.
Now ert and ane
Not censed or grate,
Life’s positive, no pain.
I’m now sular,
No doubts to stil,
Terim my guiding star.
Lost out on in,
Aghast, I fear
False prefix leads to ruin.
(The phrase “There, there.” is sometimes used to console. A parent might say to a child who has a small injury “There, there, kiss it better.” The following is addressed to an unhappy student of English or, perhaps, philosophy.)
Please don’t cry. It’s just that we are here and they aren’t. So things seem different to them simple because they’re there. There, there. Their ‘there’ they’re seeing as over here. Silly them.
(Social conventions around the world are strangely diverse. It may help to imagine that the eccentric Mr. Tyler (T) has spotted a new neighbour (N) very busy with his DIY. Tyler attempts to introduce himself formally but only achieves absurd confusions. Wat Tyler led the Peasants’ Revolt in 1381 but was killed confronting King Richard II)
T: How do you do.
N: What?
T: How do you do.
N: Yes, hello. What?
T: Oh, sorry, er, Watt. Tyler!
N: What tiler?
T: No, actually. Ha, ha. He was the chap who got on badly with Richard, you know.
N: No?
T: You do? Oh good. Yes, Dick did for Wat.
N: Wat?
T: Tyler! So glad to have had this chat. What ho, Watt!
Please check the Improving English through Humour course at Pilgrims website.
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