This Teacher Is Mostly Harmless

(I am lecturing in thermodynamics to a group of second year engineering students. I show them how to do a complex problem and emphasise that there is no point guessing without doing the work as the answer is not obvious.)

Me: “…unless, of course, you guess ’42.'” *laughs*

Students: “Huh?”

Me: “42! The ultimate answer? The answer to the ultimate question of life, the universe, and everything? Seriously?”

(They still look confused.)

Me: “Come on, lots of people have read ‘The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy!'”

Student: *in a mocking schoolyard voice obviously directed at me* “Yeah, nerds!”

Me: “Hello, thermodynamics lecturer!”