Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[Tony 1963]

Hi,

I read the following:

"In a conversation involving a number of people, Stephen Leacock mentioned a college student who earned tuition money by winning prizes in golf tournaments. Someone in the group remarked, "I gather he's putting himself through college." This comment drew an uproarious laugh from the rest of the group."

Why?
Thank you.
Tony

[pugachevV]

In golf, each hole is surrounded by a carefully trimmed area of grass called a green. This is the area where the golfer uses a club called a putter to hit the ball into the hole. It is supposed to be the most difficult part of the game. When a golfer hits a ball with his putter he is said to be putting.
If you work hard at some job to earn your tuition fees for university (college in USA), you are said to be "putting yourself through college".
The humour lies in the two different meanings of the word "putting".
He is putting himself through college by putting a golf ball.

[Tony 1963]

I've learnt a lot from you. All the best. Tony

[pugachevV]

You're welcome Tony.

[CP]

The explanation is correct, but the problem with the joke is that it works only in writing, not when spoken. Putt / putting in golf rhymes with cut / cutting. Put / putting rhymes with foot / footing. They aren't even close when spoken.

So when Leacock made his joke, he must have pronounced putting to rhyme with cutting, or else it would not have gotten much of a laugh.
_________________
You live a new life for every new language you speak. -Czech proverb

[Tony 1963]

Thank you so much CP. Happy new year!