Jokes and a language: how does it work?

[haruspex]

I once tried once a joke innEnglish, but it back fired. " What's the name of a triangle with 3 equal sides?" A : Equilateral. " What if it has 2 equal sides?" . Lastly, I asked: " What if it has _ one_ equal side. That caused an awkward silence that lasted for like two minutes until the end of the class.

That's rather Zen, and is more pertinent to the question than jokes that depend on language, like puns and idioms.
I recall this one from my childhood:
"what's green, thin, is found on the ground and has seven legs?"
"I give up"
"A blade of grass. I was lying about the legs."

 

[sbrothy]

Sshh. Don't get the Finnish on here started or it's gonna be a wash!

 

[WWGD]

Sshh. Don't get the Finnish on here started or it's gonna be a wash!

Why not? I want my Lapp dance.

 

[sbrothy]

I've learnt that Finnish is the most crazy language grammatic-wise. But I've already said too much.

 

[Janus]

I've learnt that Finnish is the most crazy language grammatic-wise. But I've already said too much.

What's crazy about 15 grammatical cases?

 

[Ibix]

What's crazy about 15 grammatical cases?

The last ten of them.

 

[jedishrfu]

In Internationalization coding, we had to pay attention to these kinds of things some funny, others vulgar as in this example:

Mitsubishi had a car line called Pajero, but they had to change its name when marketing it in Spain and other Spanish-speaking markets.

The vehicle was marketed as the Mitsubishi Montero because 'pajero' is a crude Spanish term—similar to saying “wanker.”

In Britain, it was known as the Shogun. Mitsubishi’s own international naming records clearly show these regional differences: Pajero and Montero in Spain, and Shogun in the UK.

 

[Ibix]

The vehicle was marketed as the Mitsubishi Montero because 'pajero' is a crude Spanish term—similar to saying “wanker.” In Britain, it was known as the Shogun. Mitsubishi’s own international naming records clearly show these regional differences: Pajero and Montero in Spain, and Shogun in the UK.

You do occasionally see Mitsubishi Pajeros in England. I think there are several different vehicles marketed under the name and some of them make their way here. There used to be one frequently parked near my office in London, and you would every so often find it surrounded by groups of Spanish students (probably here on residential English courses) "looking shocked" and taking photos of each other pointing at the name badge.

 

[WWGD]

Similar for the Mr2( Enmerdeux, IIRC, aka sh* tty), and Nova( Doesn't go/move)models.

 

[Janus]

What's crazy about 15 grammatical cases?

The last ten of them.

Well then I guess I shouldn't mention the 6 verb types, or that cases apply to adjectives as well as nouns.( punainen omena- red apple( as the subject) Punaiset omenat- red apples (as the subject), Punaista omenaa- red apple(s) (as the object)

 

[jedishrfu]

Similar for the Mr2( Enmerdeux, IIRC, aka sh* tty), and Nova( Doesn't go/move)models.

I was going to mention the Nova story as I learned in Internationalization coding with XPG/4 standard.

Sadly though, it's an urban legend with no basis in fact.

 

[sbrothy]

What's crazy about 15 grammatical cases?

It's no wonder we're counting on you to keep the Russians at bay. How can they invade a country where the signs are whack and they have no chance of understanding anyone!

Like in Sweden one of the first things you encounter (depending on which side you come from) is a sign reaading "Helsinki 1300 miles >"

 

[sbrothy]

Well then I guess I shouldn't mention the 6 verb types, or that cases apply to adjectives as well as nouns.( punainen omena- red apple( as the subject) Punaiset omenat- red apples (as the subject), Punaista omenaa- red apple(s) (as the object)

W'ce been through the entire thing. There's a thread bending a verb somewhere that occuies 3 pages.

 

[sbrothy]

What's crazy about 15 grammatical cases?

Oh, I think that was also you. Although I seem to remember a woman going crazy. BTW, I Iike your tradition with the state sending a box of *all* (breastpump and what not) firstbirthing moms need! Your state still does that?