Magic Shake-Ball

While visiting my brother this weekend, I was treated to a series of "woman jokes" told by my 7-year-old nephew. He was pretty excited about telling them to me, which either means that I have a reputation in their house for being a humorless feminist or that he just likes telling "woman jokes" (his name for them). There was something so intensely bizarre about standing in the kitchen making scrambled eggs for a miniature Howard Stern while being asked by him if I wanted to "hear a joke." (Answer: "Women's rights.") I should have clocked him over the head with the egg skillet, but then I'd be an angry AND humorless feminist. Hmmmm. What would Shakespeare do? Let's ask the Magic Shake-ball.

Answer: "Fear not, my lord! your servant shall do so." (Midsummer Night's Dream 2.1.268)

Wow. This is pretty ironic, even for Shakespeare. I think he's telling me that, next time (and, oh, yes, there will be a next time), I should use sarcasm on the little bugger. Will do.