# Can anyone explain these Monty Python jokes? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 21, 2016, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-explain-these-monty-python-jokes/769202 "2016-10-21T00:02:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2016, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-explain-these-monty-python-jokes/769202/1 "2016-10-21T00:02:31Z")
Mr. Praline: 'Ello, I wish to register a complaint. (The owner does not respond.) Mr. Praline: 'Ello, Miss? Owner: What do you mean “miss”? Mr. Praline: (pause) I’m sorry, I have a cold. I wish to make a complaint! In that opening exchange from the “Dead Parrot” sketch, the audience laughs after “cold”. 😕 * * * “My name is Equator, Brian Equator. Like round the middle of the Earth, only with an L.” again - 😕 To head folks off at the pass: every single other thing that Python did made complete, logical sense to me - it’s just these two things I never “got”. At least I know they’re not absurdist lines, so I can suss that there’s _some_ kinda punch-line meaning to them. And if there are any other Python headscratchers anyone has, I’m sure I’ll field those queries with venerable, adroit expertise. _ni_! ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2016, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-explain-these-monty-python-jokes/769202/2 "2016-10-21T00:22:52Z")
They’re funny because they’re true. 😃 Seriously, I just took them as absurd non-sequiturs and enjoyed them as such. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2016, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-explain-these-monty-python-jokes/769202/3 "2016-10-21T00:34:51Z")
The audience laughed after “cold” because it was an entirely inappropriate excuse for his alleged offense. Like the other example, it was indeed a non sequitur. ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2016, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-explain-these-monty-python-jokes/769202/4 "2016-10-21T01:05:58Z")
In the “Visitors” sketch, John Cleese actually introduces himself as “Equatol, Brian Equatol.” Even the script at [montypython.net](http://montypython.net) gets this wrong. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2016, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-explain-these-monty-python-jokes/769202/5 "2016-10-21T01:08:14Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > The audience laughed after “cold” because it was an entirely inappropriate excuse for his alleged offense. Like the other example, it was indeed a non sequitur. This. ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2016, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-explain-these-monty-python-jokes/769202/6 "2016-10-21T01:56:34Z")
> [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](#): > > In the “Visitors” sketch, John Cleese actually introduces himself as “Equatol, Brian Equatol.” Even the script at [montypython.net](http://montypython.net) gets this wrong. huh - just now listened on youtube, repeatedly, and you really have to prick your ears to hear the “l” in “Equatol”. Yeah, too bad [montypython.net](http://montypython.net) didn’t catch that - they do the odd mistake, but on the whole my go-to site for them. Thanks. If the first example _is_ intended as straight up absurdist, then it fell completely flat for me. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2016, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-explain-these-monty-python-jokes/769202/7 "2016-10-21T02:16:53Z")
FWIW, in “Dead Parrot,” Palin has his back to Cleese and his hair is sorta long. Cleese saying **I have a cold** is a lame excuse for mistaking MP for a chick. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2016, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-explain-these-monty-python-jokes/769202/8 "2016-10-21T03:02:10Z")
> [@Eddie The Horrible](#): > > huh - just now listened on youtube, repeatedly, and you really have to prick your ears to hear the “l” in “Equatol”. Yeah, too bad [montypython.net](http://montypython.net) didn’t catch that - they do the odd mistake, but on the whole my go-to site for them. > > Thanks. > > If the first example _is_ intended as straight up absurdist, then it fell completely flat for me. It’s not so much absurdist as an obviously ridiculous explanation. In real life, the listener might Damian’s further explanation—what do you mean by that? Having a cold doesn’t make Sir sound like Miss—but the characters just let it go. ---
**Author:** ![BwanaBob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bwanabob/32/2985_2.png) [@BwanaBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BwanaBob)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2016, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-explain-these-monty-python-jokes/769202/9 "2016-10-21T12:45:16Z")
> [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](#): > > In the “Visitors” sketch, John Cleese actually introduces himself as “Equatol, Brian Equatol.” Even the script at [montypython.net](http://montypython.net) gets this wrong. No, it’s Brian Equatlor. pronounced ee-quate-ler (though with the accent the last syllable sounds like “luh”) Please listen carefully. I believe it can be verified in the Monty Python “All the Words” books. ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2016, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-explain-these-monty-python-jokes/769202/10 "2016-10-21T14:07:37Z")
> [@BwanaBob](#): > > No, it’s Brian Equatlor. pronounced ee-quate-ler (though with the accent the last syllable sounds like “luh”) Please listen carefully. I believe it can be verified in the Monty Python “All the Words” books. I have those at home. If I remember, I’ll check tonight. ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2016, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-explain-these-monty-python-jokes/769202/11 "2016-10-22T21:01:33Z")
According to All the Words Vol. 1 (pg 118), it’s “Equator, Brian Equator”. The character is also listed as Mr Equator. I’m going with outright absurdist comedy. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2016, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-explain-these-monty-python-jokes/769202/12 "2016-10-22T22:30:13Z")
Absurdism. You realy had to have to have been there; ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2016, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-explain-these-monty-python-jokes/769202/13 "2016-10-23T05:52:35Z")
Yes, yes, I remember, I had lasagna. ---
**Author:** ![Turek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/turek/32/18782_2.png) [@Turek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turek)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2016, 10:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-explain-these-monty-python-jokes/769202/14 "2016-10-23T10:32:26Z")
> [@Mollie\_Magill](#): > > According to All the Words Vol. 1 (pg 118), it’s “Equator, Brian Equator”. The character is also listed as Mr Equator. I’m going with outright absurdist comedy. “It’s spelt ‘Luxury Yach-t’, but it’s pronounced 'Throatwarbler Mangrove.” ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2016, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-explain-these-monty-python-jokes/769202/15 "2016-10-23T21:53:18Z")
One common attribute of way too much British humor is the “embarrassment” style of joke. Someone says or does something embarrassing and then they do stupid stuff to cover it up. (This constantly being afraid of being embarrassed is a major feature in British society). I find it incredibly trite, myself. The “Hello, Miss.” bit is based on this. Cleese is embarrassed and makes matters worse by saying he has a cold. Funny, right? Well, to a Brit it is. If you don’t find this kind of embarrassment joke funny, stay away from _Fawlty Towers_. That’s all it is. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2016, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-explain-these-monty-python-jokes/769202/16 "2016-10-24T01:56:45Z")
> [@Turek](#): > > “It’s spelt ‘Luxury Yach-t’, but it’s pronounced 'Throatwarbler Mangrove.” You’ve a very silly man and I’m not going to interview you. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2016, 7:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-explain-these-monty-python-jokes/769202/17 "2016-10-24T07:13:03Z")
> [@ftg](#): > > One common attribute of way too much British humor is the “embarrassment” style of joke. Someone says or does something embarrassing and then they do stupid stuff to cover it up. (This constantly being afraid of being embarrassed is a major feature in British society). I find it incredibly trite, myself. > > The “Hello, Miss.” bit is based on this. Cleese is embarrassed and makes matters worse by saying he has a cold. Funny, right? Well, to a Brit it is. The humour of embarrassment is a real thing in British humour but not in this case. “I have a cold” is a simple non-sequitur, it is nonsense it has nothing to do with embarrassment. ---
**Author:** ![Mixolydian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/da6949/32.png) [@Mixolydian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mixolydian)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2016, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-explain-these-monty-python-jokes/769202/18 "2016-10-24T14:46:13Z")
> [@Novelty\_Bobble](#): > > The humour of embarrassment is a real thing in British humour but not in this case. “I have a cold” is a simple non-sequitur, it is nonsense it has nothing to do with embarrassment. Have you come to arrange a holiday or would you like a blow job? ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2016, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-explain-these-monty-python-jokes/769202/19 "2016-10-24T19:00:37Z")
> [@Mixolydian](#): > > Have you come to arrange a holiday or would you like a blow job? Sorry? ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2016, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-explain-these-monty-python-jokes/769202/20 "2016-10-24T19:52:12Z")
In a nice bit of synchronicity, I noticed this thread today and the wife just scored us tickets to see John Cleese and Eric Idle at the Pasadena Convention Center in a few weeks. It will make a nice bookend for election night. 😃 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-explain-these-monty-python-jokes/769202.md?page=2)