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We celebrate President Obama’s 2nd Inauguration by examining the diverse melting-pot that is American society, and we do it by painstakingly dissecting some terrible jokes. Later, Sam takes a slightly modified quiz in which the boys try and identify British and American products: Sam tries to figure out what Aunt Jemima might be offering, while Paul guesses from which supermarket aisle he can procure some Horlicks. Sigh.
Another great TAS episode – well done, Samuel! BUT……beware! Mildly Miffed Mother ahead! In response to Paul’s question “Is Sam a nephew on your mother’s side?” you said “oh no, my mother is an only child of an only child, so there is no family on her side”. True, I have no aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters, cousins, nieces or nephews (can you hear the violins?), but if I HAD siblings, their offspring would be your cousins. You have five nephews and one niece because I produced (with some initial input from your father…) your brother, Jon, who has done a great job of expanding the Van Leer Dynasty, of which I am the Matriarch. Have I been watching too much “Downton Abbey”?
I do know where you were coming from, darling, but probably BECAUSE there is the merest twig on my side of the family tree, I felt the need to highlight my contribution to our clan. And Sam has continued the tradition of getting started early, making you a Grand-Uncle! Again….. Well done, Sam! X
I’m working my way to the present through your podcasts and am listening to the January 24 cast on March 2.
I’ve got an unsubstantiated theory about Polish jokes. In Yiddish tradition, the people who come from the Polish town Chelm are supposed to be stupid, not unlike the British stories about the “Merry Men of Gotham.” This Jewish tradition may have expanded to the general populace.
Love the podcast, by the way.
Best Regards,
Jill Cameron
Thanks, Jill! Glad you’re enjoying it. Embarrassed to say I had to look up everything you mentioned. Will talk about it a bit in this week’s show though!
James