Friday, March 25, 2016

Take your position

TAKE YOUR POSITION

A group of young footballers was in the centre of the local park pitch, selecting teams and positions. Suddenly one of them started walking nonchalantly towards one of the goals, stopping just outside the penalty area.

"Where are you going?" a team mate asked.

"It's ok, I'll be right back," he replied.

(Submitted by Andy Shoots of Park Royal)

Sunday, February 28, 2016

Understanding Italian English

UNDERSTANDING ITALIAN-ENGLISH

A helpful guide for helping Italians in the UK...

Bigamist - Italian fog
Roundabout - Approximately
Make amends - What an Italian seamstress does
Easter eggs - "This belongs to Derek"
Esoteric - "This is Derek"
Isobar - Popular Heddon Street drinking venue for Italians in London
Desecrate - "This is wonderful"
Dissident - "Here's where he hit my car"
Lava bread - Italian baker
Earache - "This is where it hurts"

(Submitted by Lynne Guini of Dean Street, Soho, London)

Sunday, February 28, 2016

Kitchen Lore

KITCHEN LORE

Cole's Law: Cabbage is inedible raw, unless cut into small pieces and mixed with vinaigrette or mayonnaise.
Murphy's Law: Similar to Cole's Law, but applied to boiled potatoes.

(Submitted by Delia Myth of Norwich)

Friday, February 19, 2016

Snow joke

SNOW JOKE

The British polar expedition was having a torrid time. Progress was desperately slow, winter was upon them and temperatures had dropped to record lows.

Waking one morning and trying to connect to a navigation satellite on their laptop, the team realised, by the absence of the familiar whirring sound, that the drive must have frozen solid. The team leader had an idea.

"The sun's up, but not for long chaps. Let's put the computer on the roof of the tent and maybe the rays striking the black plastic will warm it up enough for the drive to begin working again."

So they did. And it did.

Eventually, against all the odds, the team made it to the pole, returned home and became household names. The team leader was knighted by the Queen and besieged by publishers wanting him to write the story of the heroic journey.

Six months later the book came out, with its unforgettable title: "Now is the winter of hard disk on tent."

(Submitted by Shirley Knott of Billericay, Essex)

Tuesday, February 16, 2016

Down in the pumps

DOWN IN THE PUMPS

My mate used to run a garage, but he's just closed down.

I asked him why and he said, "Everything was at least 10p a litre cheaper at the hypermarkets, so all except my most faithful customers left."

"I see," I said. "Fewer loyal?"

"Not much. Petrol mostly."

(Submitted by Helena Handbasket of Runcorn, Cheshire)

Tuesday, February 16, 2016

Below bog standard

BELOW BOG STANDARD

"Did you read about those explorers trying to get to the North Pole? Apparently a terrible blizzard blew away all their tents and they had to built an ig for shelter. Terrible conditions, eight men cramped in a few square feet..."

"No, I didn't. But what's an ig?"

"Sort of Eskimo house, but without a toilet."

(Submitted by Shirley Knott of Billericay, Essex)

Monday, February 15, 2016

Peripheral vision

PERIPHERAL VISION

I was looking for a top-notch new printer to replace my clapped out old inkjet. The salesman was trying to flog me a very expensive laser model.

"I sold one of these to Buckingham Palace. I think it was for Beatrice and Eugenie."

"Really? Princesses?"

"Prints any letter you like!"

(Submitted by Sam & Janet Evening of Chelsea, London)

Monday, February 15, 2016

In vino veritas

IN VINO VERITAS

R&B artist Y-No had teamed up with the diva Beyonme and rapper Busta Gut and signed with a famous record label as a new trio by name of Wrath's Child.

Well known for his love of the finest Claret, Y-No frequently appears on stage clutching a bottle of red wine with a brightly coloured, artistic label.

At the press conference to launch ther first collaborative album, Y-No was asked why he was so fond of this prestigious French wine.

"Simple, I bought the place. Now I'm a Motown Wrath's Child."

(Submitted by Ray Banz of Detroit, MI)

Monday, February 15, 2016

A bit of a wrench

A BIT OF A WRENCH

My wife's not vegetarian, but she gets squeamish about the business of killing meat or poultry.

Just before Christmas we went to our local farmer to choose a turkey, as we do every year.

As we were going in my mobile rang, so I told my wife to go in and pick out the bird while I took the call. When I walked in she was looking rather flustered and embarrassed as she pointed to a plump specimen and said "Do you think you could, er..., you know, get the bird, er..., well, ready for us to take home, if you see what I mean?"

The farmer looked a bit puzzled and said, "You want to take the bird home Madam? As a pet?"

"She means wring its neck, Mr Jones, if you would please," I said.

The farmers face lit up at this. "Ah, now we're torquing turkey!"

(Submitted by Ivor Smallholding of Kent)

Monday, February 15, 2016

Workplace tresses

WORKPLACE TRESSES

"My barber is amazing. He can tell you the most incredible stories about the hair of every customer he's ever had. By profession too, racing drivers, coal miners, chefs, taxi drivers, lawyers, whatever you care to name."

"Locks myths?"

"Probably, but I've not heard that one."

(Submitted by S. Todd of Fleet Street, London)

Saturday, January 16, 2016

Digging deeper

DIGGING DEEPER

"I've written an article about what I found down a rabbit's burrow."

"Warren piece?"

"No, just 500 words."

Saturday, January 16, 2016

Clos call

CLOS CALL

My wife and I are hugely keen on fine Burgundy, but we often argue about our preferences.

For example, among the Premier Cru in one AOC, I absolutely adore Clos des Mouches, while she would far rather have a Clos des Ursules.

It's a Beaune of contention between us.

(Submitted by Dennis Helbeau, of Roland Garros, Paris)

Friday, January 15, 2016

Swayed loafers

SWAYED LOAFERS

"We had a great holiday in Shanklin this summer. Found this wonderful baker - the best bread I've ever eaten!"

"Isle of Wight?"

"Really? I prefer brown myself."

(Submitted by Victoria Osborne of East Cowes, IoW)

Friday, January 15, 2016

Wheat pics

WHEAT PICS

They're planning a remake in Morocco of that classic James Dean movie about an emotionally confused suburban, middle-class teenager.

It tells the tragic story of what goes wrong when the hero is left waiting for his food at a local restaurant.

It's called Rebel without a Couscous.

(Submitted by Selma Lima of Tangiers)

Friday, January 15, 2016

A whole load of bull

A WHOLE LOAD OF BULL

"I've written a magnificent work about cattle farming."

"Really? What makes it magnificent?"

"It's been nominated for a bullitzer prize."

(Submitted by Rex Taurus of Kobe, Japan)

Saturday, January 09, 2016

Eh, wasabe Doc?

EH, WASABE DOC?

"My mate's absolutely obsessed with Japanese food, especially that stuff deep fried in batter. He's a right bore, won't eat anything else, never talks about anything else..."

"Tempura mental?"

"No, just obsessed with this Japanese fried food."

(Submitted by Jo Veal of Upper Norwood, London)

Wednesday, January 06, 2016

Urning a living?

URNING A LIVING?

"I've got a new job at the British Board of Film Classification."

"Lucky devil! Getting paid to watch dirty movies."

"No such luck. They've put me in charge of drawing the line between films judged 'Universal' and those considered 'Parental Guidance'."

"So, you're becoming a Tea Lady?"

"Tea Lady? Why?"

"You're serving up PG tips."

Sunday, January 03, 2016

Hot off the press

HOT OFF THE PRESS

My wife and I were having a New Year's Eve drink with our neighbours and marvelling over their amazing talking bird.

They were passing round the nibbles and we were all listening to the bird screech "Cashews! - Cheesy Wotsits! - Salt & Vinegar!", when I suddenly caught a whiff of acrid smoke.

"Is something burning?", I asked our hostess, who immediately got up and went into the kitchen. "The sausage rolls have caught fire!", she screamed, pulling a dish from the oven and dropping it on the floor.

Within seconds the flames had set fire to the curtains and suddenly the whole room seemed to be alight.

"The house is on fire! The house is on fire! Call the fire brigade! Call the fire brigade!", screamed the bird.

Our host ran to the 'phone for the fire brigade as smoke filled the rooms and we all tried to douse the flames with water or any available piece of cloth, but to no avail. When the firemen arrived the house was a blazing inferno and we were trapped in the living room. Finally, the firemen got us all out, coughing and spluttering, and even managed to save the talking bird, who had a few singed feathers but was otherwise fine.

The next day the local paper carried the following headline: "House burns down in Oakfield Road. Occupants escape with mynah burns."

(Submitted by Cherie Tryful of Wimbledon)

Sunday, January 03, 2016

Our Top 100 Puns of 2015

OUR TOP 100 PUNS OF 2015

1
New Tube
15+19+18+19+23
94
2
Sole food
15+15+20+19+24
93
3
Not all beer and skittles
15+19+18+18+23
93
4
Left in stitches...
15+19+19+18+22
93
5
CCTV
15+19+18+18+22
92
6
Turning the page
15+19+18+19+21
92
7
A nose for business
15+18+17+19+22
91
8
Familiar ring to it
15+18+18+18+22
91
9
Late for the meating
15+19+18+19+20
91
10
Here's Yuan for the money
15+20+18+20+18
91
11
Leicester we forget
15+18+17+18+22
90
12
In the cauldron boil and break
15+16+20+17+22
90
13=
Water on the knee
15+18+18+18+21
90
13=
Rigamortis
15+18+18+18+21
90
15
Glass ceiling
15+19+17+18+21
90
16
Musical coffers
15+18+18+19+20
90
17
Sore point
15+16+19+18+21
89
18
Lowering the atmosphere
15+19+16+18+21
89
19=
Hearty appetite
15+18+18+18+20
89
19=
Ukraine? New cranes!
15+18+18+18+20
89
21=
Penne stock company
15+19+17+18+20
89
21=
Health diet
15+19+17+18+20
89
21=
Neuter the neighbourhood
15+19+17+18+20
89
24
Doctor I'm feeling verse and verse
15+18+19+18+19
89
25
Regular appointment
12+19+16+20+21
88
26
Not a leg to stand on
15+15+19+18+21
88
27
Feline fib
15+16+18+18+21
88
28
Sank like a stone
15+18+17+17+21
88
29
Norse load
15+17+18+19+20
88
30=
Hip fashion items
15+17+18+18+20
88
30=
Gross - really, really gross
15+17+18+18+20
88
30=
A Saltire and flattery
15+17+18+18+20
88
33
Talking the walk
15+18+17+18+20
88
34=
Flush with funds
15+19+17+18+19
88
34=
Causing a terrible hoopla
15+19+17+18+19
88
36
The bare facts
15+12+19+19+22
87
37=
Cold comfort
15+15+18+18+21
87
37=
Camelot too far for this
15+15+18+18+21
87
39
Looking for an opening
15+16+16+20+20
87
40
Unsavoury opinions
14+17+18+18+20
87
41=
Pig-headed
15+16+18+18+20
87
41=
All-consuming passion
15+16+18+18+20
87
43=
Bank on it!
15+17+17+18+20
87
43=
When in Rome
15+17+17+18+20
87
45=
Flue blues
15+18+16+18+20
87
45=
Hunny trap
15+18+16+18+20
87
47
If the cap fits…
15+17+18+17+20
87
48
Nordic cross boarder incident
15+18+17+17+20
87
49
On the ball
15+18+18+17+19
87
50
Grape expectations
15+18+18+18+18
87
51
Foot and mouth dis-ease
15+14+19+18+20
86
52
Mandy Tory answer
15+16+17+18+20
86
53
Carrie on searching
15+16+18+17+20
86
54
Lecture us interruptus
15+17+17+17+20
86
55
Supporting evidence
15+16+18+18+19
86
56=
Meaty parts
15+17+17+18+19
86
56=
To cut a long story…
15+17+17+18+19
86
56=
Holmes, sweet Holmes
15+17+17+18+19
86
56=
Breeches of confidence
15+17+17+18+19
86
60
Green ayes
15+18+16+18+19
86
61
Hardy attitudes
15+17+18+17+19
86
62=
Stiff locks
15+18+17+17+19
86
62=
Reptile housing
15+18+17+17+19
86
64
Oars play
15+19+16+17+19
86
65
Daily jaws
15+16+17+20+18
86
66
Sauce of discontent
10+15+20+19+21
85
67
Decline and fall
11+19+17+18+20
85
68
That's mo 2
15+18+14+18+20
85
69
Badly taut
15+15+18+17+20
85
70
Funny bone
12+19+17+18+19
85
71
Triplikim
14+17+17+18+19
85
72=
Highly strung
15+16+17+18+19
85
72=
TGIF - or not?
15+16+17+18+19
85
72=
Green field project
15+16+17+18+19
85
72=
Rite answer
15+16+17+18+19
85
72=
Clothe call
15+16+17+18+19
85
77=
Cardigan error
15+16+17+18+19
85
77=
In a different glass…
15+16+17+18+19
85
79=
Early finish
15+17+16+18+19
85
79=
Santa Cause?
15+17+16+18+19
85
81=
Tacky humour
15+17+17+17+19
85
81=
Fishy business
15+17+17+17+19
85
81=
Tight budget
15+17+17+17+19
85
84=
Thin volume
15+18+16+17+19
85
84=
Shelling out
15+18+16+17+19
85
84=
Alan Hansen, punned it
15+18+16+17+19
85
84=
Hostile atmosphere
15+18+16+17+19
85
88
Montecristo's flying circles
15+18+17+16+19
85
89
Mark of eggsellence
15+16+18+18+18
85
90=
Adult Eros
15+17+17+18+18
85
90=
No kidding
15+17+17+18+18
85
92
Barrel of fun
14+19+16+18+18
85
93
Dutch courage
15+17+18+17+18
85
94
Two way conversation
14+19+17+17+18
85
95
Trunk call
15+18+17+17+18
85
96
State of the union
8+19+16+19+22
84
97
Family Beef
15+10+19+18+22
84
98
Little and large
7+19+18+19+21
84
99
Paws for thought
10+19+17+18+20
84
100
Abominable pun
11+19+16+18+20
84

Saturday, January 02, 2016

Not on the rocks - yet

NOT ON THE ROCKS - YET

A man walks into a bar and orders a 12-year-old scotch.

"Chivas?", asks the barman.

"Well, I won't deny I like a drink, but I'm not an alcoholic."

(Submitted by Luke Waugham of Covent Garden)