Three Chairs

Hobilar · #1 (**permalink**) July 11th, 2006, 08:36 AM

Winston Churchill was flying back to London from one of his trips when a message was received saying that the airstrip, where he had intended to land, was under attack from a large force of German bombers.

The pilot decided that he had better divert to an alternative airfield, but the nearest was a small field rarely used.

Churchill's aeroplane touched down safely, to be met by a very surprised Station Commander, much astonished to have such a distinguished visitor. Thinking about his future promotion prospects, the Station commander thought that he should invite the Prime Minister to take lunch with his officers in the Mess, which the Prime Minister readily agree to.

However when the party arrived at the Officers' Mess it was soon discovered that there were too few chairs for all of the PM's party.

The Station Commander called to his Adjutant "Bring more chairs"

The Adjutant called to the Station Warrant Officer "We need three more chairs"

The Warrant Officer called to the Flight Sergeant "Fetch three more chairs"

The Flight Sergeant hollowed to a passing airman "THREE CHAIRS FOR THE PRIME MINISTER"

The airman quickly replied "HIP, HIP, HOORAY"

sniper1shot · #2 (**permalink**) July 13th, 2006, 12:12 AM

Aw man.....that is sad. Are you making these up or what.

Tom Houlihan · #3 (**permalink**) July 13th, 2006, 01:02 AM

Up until now, I was quite impressed with these amazing little snippets of WWII trivia he was providing. All of a sudden, I'm not so sure!

Klaus · #4 (**permalink**) July 14th, 2006, 06:20 AM

I don't get it. Maybe because I'm not a native speaker. But is it "funny" because Churchill was "Wheight challenged" (Don't you just LOVE political correctness?)

Jim O · #5 (**permalink**) July 14th, 2006, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Klaus

I don't get it. Maybe because I'm not a native speaker. But is it "funny" because Churchill was "Wheight challenged" (Don't you just LOVE political correctness?)

No. This is a bit of English idiom perhaps, and a bit of "sounds like" type of pun.

"Three chairs" sounds like "Three cheers". When someone calls for "Three cheers" for someone, the response of the crowd is "Hip, hip, hooray" repeated three times.

Klaus · #6 (**permalink**) July 17th, 2006, 06:04 AM

AAAhh! Now I get it. Perhaps I would have got it if someone told me the joke.