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
Python. A bit about an Aussie University. Rule 6: There is NO rule six.
Rule 7: No poofters.
The reason why there is no Number 6 is because he’s escaped from the Village.
“What we have here is failure to communicate.” – Strother Martin, anticipating the Internet.
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
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?
It’s also called “The Bruces” sketch. You can read the full text of it here (also a couple of sound files)
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.
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?