Article: A deadly funny Python joke; ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.(Features)

Byline: Compiled by Charles Legge

QUESTION In the Monty Python sketch about a joke so funny it is deadly, we are never told the joke in English, but a group of soldiers recite it across the trenches in German. Has anyone translated this? THE 'German' version of the joke used in the sketch is: 'Wenn ist das Nunstruck git und Slotermeyer?' 'Ja! Beiherhund das Oder die Flipperwaldt gersput!' Of this, only a few words are German; most of it consists of nonsense. The sentences don't make sense, though they give the impression of following a standard joke construction. The first three words mean 'When is the ...' to which the answer is 'Ja' -- yes.

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