A more determined man than a zoologist in his quest for armadillo or panther
Is your zealous botanist, because he won’t take no for an
anther.
Let us proceed to change the subject entirely at this point,
and consider why the pun, even if it’s a beaut,
Is firmly embedded in ill-repute.
It’s alright with me if it’s the lowest form of humor,
Because this admits it’s human therefore funny; and however low, I refuse to treat it like a malignant tumor .
And don’t forget that the Bard himself, while his contemporaries
were busy at playing badminton, Canasta, or sunning,
was bent over a much-chewed quill , punning.
Which, considering Shakespeare’s no mean ability ,
Should give the pun some semblance of respectability.
However, notwithstanding Bill’s efforts, a survey today discloses
That people who encounter puns go around holding their
well-bred noses.
As for myself, while I don’t mind the pun itself, especially
if it’s a stunner,
I am apt to get a wee bit provoked at the punner,
And wish he were heckled, chigger-ridden,under- estimated,
and when he rides a train, upper-berthed,
For pulling that pun before I thought of it ferthed!
by Ray Romine Monday, July 24, 1950