They Can Butt In Just This Once

(I’m in art history. We’re doing a unit on art in architecture.)

Professor: “And those there are… Okay. I’m gonna say it once. I want you all to get it out of your system right now, because after today I won’t tolerate laughter.”

(The class is silent in anticipation.)

Professor: “These are… flying buttresses.”

(Everyone bursts out laughing. The professor just calmly stands there waiting. Finally, we’ve all calmed down and stopped laughing.)

Professor: “I’ve been teaching this course for 10 years. Every single time the class laughs at ‘flying buttresses.’ After a while I’ve learned to just let you all get one big laugh out before I proceed with the lesson.”