READERSVOICE.COM aims to give a few samples from interesting out of the way books. These are secondhand books that you might find in charity stores, opshops, thift shops and the like. These shops are good for interesting and cheap random finds that you might not hear about anywhere else.

This issue features Leo Rosten’s Giant Book of Laughter, published by Bonanza Books, New York, 1985. It features 573 pages of jokes, anecdotes, misprints and more. Leo Rosten (1908-1997) wrote numerous books and screenplays. Here are a few samples from his Giant Book of Laughter, which is well worth tracking down.

Azriel Chyet, a Jewish patriarch, was on the witness stand in Brooklyn.

“How old are you?” asked the district attorney.

“I am, thank the Lord for His goodness, eighty-two years old.”

“What was that?”

“I said, ‘I am, thank the Lord for His goodness, eighty-two years old.’”

“Just answer the question!” snapped the D.A. “Nothing else. Now, how – old – are – you?”

“Eighty-two,” said the old man, “thank the Lord for His – “

The judge banged his gavel and cut in, “The witness will answer the question – only the question, without additional comment, or be held in contempt of court! Do you understand?”

Up rose the counsel for the defense: “Your Honor, may I ask the question?…”

“Try,” said the Judge.

The lawyer said, “Mr. Chyet, thank the Lord for His goodness, how old are you?”

Beamed the old man, “Eighty-two.”

Sign in barber’s window: During vacation of owner, a competent hair-stylist will be here.

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-readersvoice.com