There was an old joke - the punch line was something like "that's what happened when the fit hit the shan."
The joke started explaining about the Shah of Iran, and, that the next in line (or maybe it was a son), was called the Shan of Iran.
What I don't remember about the joke is what went in between the beginning and the end. Anybody else remember the joke and can relate the whole thing? I haven't heard the joke now for close to or maybe more than a half century.
Now that the Ayatollahs run Iran, many of us probably do not remember
when the former ruler was the Shah of Iran.
The word "Shah" means King and the word for the First-Born-Male-Prince
and Heir-To-The-Throne is "Shan".
The recent Shah was a very powerful ruler, but there was some question
about the Heir's potential.
In fact, the young man was a fine young man in all respects, but one.
He was an epileptic and occasionally prone to seizures.
This was not incapacitating and could be controlled by medicines given
by a personal physician who was to be with the boy at all times. On one sad occasion, however, the physician had to heed the call of nature, and was absent for nearly fifteen minutes. When he returned, he found that the boy had suffered a massive seizure. As the physician was led off to be beheaded, he heard these fatal words ringing in his ears,
"And where were you when the fit hit the Shan?"
The word "Shah" means King and the word for the First-Born-Male-Prince
And the source of another word we use a lot.
"Shah mat" is the source of a word still commonly used today, from old Persian for "The King is dead" (or "helpless"). She source of our word "Checkmate". Chess came to most of the world from India through Persia.
And the oldest book to talk about the game is the 11th century book "Shahnameh". The "Book of Kings" it talked about ancient Persian culture and history, which also included descriptions about the game we know as Chess today.
Even the name we know it as is believed to have come from Shah.
explains Sha Na Na
You can find almost anything online.
"What does Sha Na Na mean?
The meaning of Shanana is "wise, river". Shanana is generally used as a girl's name. It consists of 7 letters and 3 syllables and is pronounced Sha-na-na."
"What does Sha Na Na mean?
Ahhh, one of the greatest rock bands, that nobody remembers. Like that at Woodstock, they were the opening act for Jimi Hendrix.
They were a throwback to 1950's doo-wop, and their name came from the chorus of the song "Get a Job" by the Silhouettes.
In fact, they are now often credited with their early popularity actually kick-starting the "50's Craze" which would lead to American Graffiti, Happy Days, and Grease (which they performed in the movie version).
Ba Na Na
An atom of Barium and two atoms of Sodium. Or a piece of fruit that needs to be pealed before eating, normally the outside is yellow and the inside is white or pale cream color.
There is also a song.
"Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)
Harry Belafonte
Day-o, day-o
Daylight come and me wan' go home
Day, me say day, me say day, me say day
Me say day, me say day-o
Daylight come and me wan' go home
Work all night on a drink of rum
Daylight come and me wan' go home
Stack banana 'til de mornin' come
Daylight come and me wan' go home
Come, mister tally man, tally me banana
Daylight come and me wan' go home
Come, mister tally man, tally me banana
Daylight come and me wan' go home
Lift six foot, seven foot, eight foot bunch
Daylight come and me wan' go home
Six foot, seven foot, eight foot bunch
Daylight come and me wan' go home
Day, me say day-o
Daylight come and me wan' go home
Day, me say day, me say day, me say day
Daylight come and me wan' go home
A beautiful bunch o' ripe banana
Daylight come and me wan' go home…
Source: LyricFind"
a piece of fruit that needs to be pealed before eating
Like a bell pepper?
AJ
THAT went right by me. I only caught it as it buzzed me again :)
I used to watch there show when they were on TV. Some of it was pretty campy, but the singing was good. My favorite was Bowser.
Wasn't very funny though. Went from .17 cents a gallon to .60 cent a gallon real quick.
What are you complaining about. Down here gas prices are currently between €1.52 and €1.66 per liter. That's between €5.76 and €6.29 per gallon ($6,77 - $7.40).
And that's with the current "low" prices. It has been up to €1.80 per liter.
Slightly off topic, but ever read any Terry Pratchett? In his Disc World novels, he uses the expression "When the midden hits the windmill"
Hasn't everyone?
Tried, but couldn't stand it. I don't like authors who try too hard to be clever/funny.
AJ
You dislike parody?
No, I like parody and I use it myself. But when it's overcooked and relentless I find it as unappealing as a stroke-novel.
AJ
Can't believe no-one has mentioned Zelazny's "Lord of Light" - this pun is in the 2nd story of the book, and possibly was the entire thrust of that story. Fits the timescale as well, being published in '67 ...
Maybe this is the source of the joke; maybe Zelazny heard the punchline & used it. Dunno; but it's a great book; took the '68 Hugo Award for Best Novel and was a nominee for the Nebula Award in the same category too.
