Then she got all mad because I did it from my side of the fence.
Joke Poo: The Remote Exam
The professor gave us permission to use any resources we wanted on the remote exam. Then he got all mad when we used our brains.
Alright, let’s break down this joke and then sprinkle some comedic fertilizer on it to make something new bloom.
Analysis:
- Core Concept: It relies on a misunderstanding of intent and a literal interpretation of a request. The neighbor grants permission to enter the yard, implying physical presence within the boundaries. The joke-teller fulfills the request in the most technically accurate, yet absurd, way possible.
- Key Elements:
- Permission: The act of granting access.
- Yard/Property: The specific space in question.
- Fulfillment (albeit unconventional): Action being done that fulfills the requirement.
- Misinterpretation: Divergence between the neighbor’s expected action and what happened.
- Humor Source: The surprise and absurdity of fulfilling the request in a literal and unhelpful manner, highlighting a contrast between expected social behavior and technically correct compliance. The implied frustration of the neighbor.
Comedic Enrichment: New Joke Ideas
Here are a few ways we can play off the original joke:
1. The Lawyer Joke:
"My lawyer told me I had to serve my ex-wife with divorce papers personally. So, I hired a skywriter. Technically, the message was delivered personally from above."
- Connection: Replicates the "literal compliance/avoiding-the-spirit-of-the-law" dynamic.
2. The Absurd Task Manager:
"My boss told me to ‘think outside the box’ on this project. So I put the box… outside. He said that wasn’t what he meant. I’m waiting for clearer instructions."
- Connection: Again, focusing on the deliberate misinterpretation of common phrases.
3. The "Did You Know?" Style Witty Observation:
"Did you know that the legal definition of ‘trespassing’ often hinges on the specific definition of a ‘boundary’? This is why lawyers arguing about whether a laser pointer shining across a property line constitutes a crime can be considered legitimate work and worth $500/hour. It’s the ‘from my side of the fence’ loophole writ large."
- Connection: Plays on the concept of boundaries and the absurdity of legal interpretations. It also adds an element of social commentary (lawyers being expensive).
4. Another Joke – The Tech Support Variant:
"Tech support told me to uninstall and reinstall the software. So, I uninstalled it, walked to the nearest store, bought a new copy, and installed it. They asked why it took so long. I told them I wanted to make sure the re-installation was thorough."
- Connection: Similar literal interpretation applied to a common, and often frustrating, tech support scenario.