Missing number six

[Mattemeo]

I keep getting "Top Ten" kinds of list in my email from friends. A lot of them have at #6 something like "There is no number six." Is this some sort of running gag? Anyone know where this came from?

Mattemeo

[aseymayo]

Python. A bit about an Aussie University. Rule 6: There is NO rule six.
Rule 7: No poofters.

[RealityChuck]

The reason why there is no Number 6 is because he's escaped from the Village.

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"What we have here is failure to communicate." -- Strother Martin, anticipating the Internet.

www.sff.net/people/rothman (http://www.sff.net/people/rothman)

[vanilla]

Reasons for numbered lists:
1.they're fun
2.they don't take much time
3.people read them
4.folks like to count
5.its interesting
7.no one notices if numbers are missing

[Max Torque]

If the above answers weren't clear: there was a skit on Monty Python's Flying Circus that featured some Australian fellas (the philosophy faculty of the University of Wollamaloo) going over the faculty rules. They were:

rule 1 - No pooftahs!
rule 2 - No member of the faculty is to maltreat the abos in any way whatsoever if there's anyone watching.
rule 3 - No pooftahs!
rule 4 - I don't want to catch anyone not drinking in their room after lights out.
rule 5 - No pooftahs!
rule 6 - There is NO rule six!
rule 7 - No pooftahs!

Right, that concludes the reading of the rules. Bruce?

[Arnold Winkelried]

It's also called "The Bruces" sketch. You can read the full text of it here (also a couple of sound files)

Bruces Sketch (http://www.montypython.net/scripts/bruceskit.php3)

Fourth Bruce: No. Right, I just want to remind you of the faculty rules: Rule One!

Everybruce: No Pooftas!

Fourth Bruce: Rule Two, no member of the faculty is to maltreat the Abbos in any way at all -- if there's anybody watching...... Rule Three?

Everybruce: No Pooftas!!

Fourth Bruce: Rule Four, now this term, I don't want to catch anybody not drinking..... Rule Five,

Everybruce: No Pooftas!

Fourth Bruce: Rule Six, there is NO ... Rule Six!... Rule Seven,

Everybruce: No Pooftas!!

Fourth Bruce: Right, that concludes the readin' of the rules, Bruce.

[Kat]

Related question: On a mailing list that I belong to, there is a long-running joke that "There is no number 4." in any numbered list. Could this be a corruption of the missing number 6, or can anyone come up with a distinct explanation for it?