Waaaaay back in 1759, a book was published by the name of "The Life and Times of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman" This early novel is: "The comic masterpiece TRISTRAM SHANDY by Sterne is generally regarded as the progenitor of the 20th century novel. Set in the Shandy's small parlour and garden, the book, narrated by Tristram, consists of a plot frequently and flagrantly interrupted by digressions. tristram insists on beginning the book at the moment of his own conception, but provides no consistent thread or conclusion to his tale. Shrewd and Bawdy, he is filled with such vitality that his words can scarcely keep up with his headlong thought. The characters that people his account include his excitable father, Walter, Uncle Toby, the bewildered Mrs Shandy, impulsive Parson Yoric and Dr Slop, incompetent Physician. Impossible and hilarious Tristram Shandy defies definitions and turns conventions on their head even while laying the very foundations of great modern writing." I got this from the Amazon UK site as I couldn't be arsed to make up one myself.
What does this have to do with Python you may well ask? Well, there is a running joke in "Tristram" about Uncle Toby's war wound: "Where where you injured, Uncle Toby?" This wound is in a delicate place (shhhhh-his groin) so when asked this question, Uncle Toby whips out A MAP-and invites his guests to touch the place he was injured in the battle of Nimes. Our dear Mr. Pither, more than 100 years later, tells the same joke-
Pither: "I was cycling north towards.."
Nurse: "Yes, where were you injured?"
Pither: "Just where the A237 Ilfracombe road meets the..."
Nurse: "On your body..."
Just goes to show a good joke never dies.
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