Category Archives: Humour

The ‘Wald Chappell’

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My aunt Kathrin has been, throughout her life, a great a collector (and teller!) of funny stories, also exchanging letters full of word jokes (across multiple languages) with friends and family. We recently visited my aunt, and she gave me an envelope full of these gems.

My absolute favourite is the following story, which, as far as I know, is otherwise not to be found on the web.  I’ve typed it in, so that many more may enjoy!

This is an old story, and may require a brief explanatory note for some of the younger people among us, and those not familiar with the term WC.  In British English, this refers to a “Water Closet” or flush toilet. These facilities were, back then, not inside the house, but somewhere outside – such as in a small building attached to the house or in the back garden.

The “Wald Chappell”

An English lady wanted to stay in a small German village in the mountains, and knowing no German asked the village schoolmaster (who knew a little English) to help her.  On her return home, she remembered she had not enquired if there was a WC attached to the house.   She therefore wrote to the schoolmaster for full particulars as to the WC, but as he had never heard of the abbreviation, he did not understand and consulted the pastor who also knew a little English.  The pastor came to the conclusion that the lady was a devout churchgoer and wished to know where the Wald Chappell (Church in the Wood) was situated, and he wrote the following letter:

Dear Ladyship,

The WC is situated about seven miles from your lodgings in the centre of the pine forest, amidst lovely surroundings, and is open on Tuesdays and Fridays.  This is unfortunate for you if you are in the habit of going regularly, but you will not doubt be glad to hear that a number of people take their lunch and make a day of it.  As there are a great many visitors in the summer, I advise you to go early.  The accommodation is good and there are about 80 seats, but should you at any time be late, there is plenty of standing room.  The bell will be rung ten minutes before the WC is opened.  I would especially advise your ladyship to pay a visit on Tuesdays, as on that day there is an organ accompaniment.  The acoustics on the premises are excellent, the most delicate sounds being audible.

I shall be delighted to reserve the best seat for your ladyship and have the honour to be etc, etc.

P.S. My wife and I have not been able to go for eight months and it pains me very much, but it is such a long way off.

 

It’s enough to make you cancel your reservation

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http://blogdramedy.wordpress.com/2013/10/02/its-enough-to-make-you-cancel-your-reservation/

A vacation is supposed to be your time away from the crazy. Remind me never to travel to any of the same vacation spots these people have booked.

6 ‘Harmless’ Fads That Caused Widespread Destruction

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http://www.cracked.com/article_20411_6-harmless-fads-that-caused-widespread-destruction.html/


It turns out some fads have poisoned thousands, started wars, and enslaved entire nations, all for the sake of some dumbass thing people wanted to ride, wear, or eat.

Max’s limerick

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This is a limerick I made up while we discussed popular ones over dinner.

There once was a man who liked pie

Who desperately wanted to fly

So he climbed up a ladder

That should of been flatter

And then proceeded to die.

Hope you like it :D

The Compass

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Arjen's right wrist with compass on watch bandI frequently get questions about the compass residing on the wrist band of my watch.

The real answer is that I use it when bushwalking – I also have a “proper” one for things that need more accuracy, but this works and is always handy. More recently, I figured I might as well have some fun with it. So now my answer (to adults) is “I’m an atheist, so this is my moral compass.”

People also wonder why I wear my watch on my right wrist, even though I’m right-handed (for writing). I actually throw left-handed and tend to catch with my right hand – but that’s a sideline. Here’s the truth: the origin of the choice-of-wrist is decades old, and was part of an experiment that stuck. You’ve probably seen or read detective stories, where the brilliant deduction is made that because a victim or suspect wears the watch on the right wrist, and “therefore they must’ve been left handed”? Being young and already inquisitive, I thought I’d just test that and of course it’s complete nonsense. But I kinda got used to wearing the watch on the right wrist, and it’s a neat reminder that while Occam’s Razor is a good guide, drawing far reaching conclusions on seemingly obvious little things can easily (and thus quite often) yield invalid results!