A bit early to be a bit off topic, but tough.
To set the scene: my father is an entomologist, and has acquired a degree of expertise in his particular field of research, which is the communication used by social insects. Strictly speaking, we’re more in the territory of compilation albums than mix tapes… but… I don’t care. Sue me.

Early in his career - about 1974, I think - Dad was browsing a record shop and noticed a sign advertising a new album on which were recorded the particular buzzes of each species of European wasp. This was an opportunity not to be missed, and Dad asked if he could have a listen prior to purchase. The shop assistant took him to the listening-booth, and then went to put on the record.

A few minutes later, Dad emerged, nonplussed. “I think there’s something wrong with the equipment,” he said. “I’m fairly good at identifying wasps from their distinctive buzzes, but I recognise none of these.”

The assistant checked the equipment, and Dad was invited to try again. Again, he listened; again, he didn’t recognise anything. Thinking, perhaps, that there was some static on the jack for the headphones, he asked the assistant if it might be possible to play the recording of European wasp buzzes over the shop’s main speaker. The assistant was a bit reluctant – insect drones are not everyone’s favoured listening – but, after an assurance that it’d only be for a minute, he said that it would be possible. Flicking the switch, the assistant filled the shop with the sound of what was, ostensibly, wasps buzzing. But still Dad recognised nothing. As an expert on identifying wasps by their buzz, this was worrying.

The assistant checked the equipment again. All seemed to be in order… until…
“Ah! I know the problem!” interjected another member of the shop staff who had overheard what was going on. “You’re playing the bee side.”





Oh, come on. It’s a rubbish question anyway.
( Enzyme is powered by sunlight, Thu 7 Feb 2008, 14:14, 13 replies)

haha!
We have a winner! Nothing will top this.
(The Empress it seems you CAN polish a turd!, Thu 7 Feb 2008, 14:18, closed)

Hehe!
I wike yu, yur funy :)
( girlinthehole, Thu 7 Feb 2008, 14:23, closed)

*clicks*
That's taken the sting out of this QOTW...

Me likes..
(Nuclear Ninja like a radioactive Chuck Norris..., Thu 7 Feb 2008, 14:23, closed)

class
i knew that was familiar but it still didnt make the punchline any less funny! skills
(drew pea great minds like a think!, Thu 7 Feb 2008, 14:25, closed)

on a Thursday?
you feckin' eejit!
( crackhouseceilidhband Fuck off back to Mumsnet, Thu 7 Feb 2008, 14:29, closed)

*click*
And, yes, it is a rubbish question
( le brian, Thu 7 Feb 2008, 14:36, closed)

Heard it before
But still pissed myself laughing!

Top joke.
( K2k6 has a proper job these days, Thu 7 Feb 2008, 14:45, closed)

Groan!
Have a click. :)
(Musuko, Thu 7 Feb 2008, 15:27, closed)

Thank you...

All efforts to detract from this godawful run of QOTWs has to be held in the highest regard

*click*
( Pooflake braces for an onslaught..., Thu 7 Feb 2008, 16:04, closed)

go on then...
I am a very miserly clicker, but this one's worth it.
(MadBouncyDog Barking at the moon since, Thu 7 Feb 2008, 17:25, closed)

A compilation...
of off-topicness, terrible punnage and brilliant narration earns you a clicky, sir.
(LLamaBoy skived off work on, Fri 8 Feb 2008, 8:04, closed)

Terrible*
*Terribly brill punnage that is, and good choice of icon

Go on, have a click
( ogwen69 has returned from Reddit, Sat 9 Feb 2008, 1:30, closed)

definite click
( snee held his breath since, Mon 11 Feb 2008, 12:50, closed)