Good In-tents-ions

I had to explain the concept of a "punchline" to my class today. I ended up expanding this to explaining all kinds of jokes, including puns and limericks. Since I couldn't think of a non-dirty limerick, I had to make one up on the spot.

There once was a man from Seattle
Who couldn't sit straight in his saddle
So he turned to his horse
And said "But of course"
"Why does this have to be such a battle?"

Yes, it's terrible, but pretty good for having been made up in under a minute.

As for puns, I dusted off an old one. Accounts differ to who actually said this, but a few years ago some friends and I were at the U-District Street Fair in Seattle. Street Fair is one of those stupid events where they close down the streets, cart in a couple buses of hippies and juggle sticks, and set up tents to sell stupid crap that nobody needs. While walking around, a friend said "Dude, this street fair is intense. Get it, it's in tents!"

After relating this to my students, and spelling it out on the board, I was rewarded with...blank stairs. When I asked if they understood, it became clear that they did; they just thought I was an idiot. All except my brand new student, who had her head down on the table. She was crying from laughter.

I have a new favorite student.