I say, I say, I say.....

Aug 24 2007

With Birmingham voted one of the funniest cities in the UK, Birmingham Mail reporter WILL OLIPHANT took to the streets of the city centre to sample some Brummie humour.

AMATEUR comedian Omer Raja, 17, from Handsworth, who was in town with pal Raur Miah, 17, said: "I think Birmingham's the funniest city basically because I live here.

"There's plenty of funny people around, but I don't think it's always because of the jokes - it's the things people say are funny."

Omer had a gem: A man rings up an airline and asked how long it would take to fly to India. The operator answers: "Just one moment, sir". So the man says, "that's quick" and hangs up.

City centre worker Alan Armstrong's best joke was: "What's ET short for? Because he's got little legs."

Paula Hazell, who lives in the city centre, and was out for the day with husband Grant and children Kallem, 10, and Sharna, 9, said: "People in Birmingham have got a good sense of humour. They're usually up for a laugh and they're pretty funny."

Paula and Grant were stuck for a joke, but son Kallem stepped in with: "Knock, Knock."

"Who's there?"

"Nanoya"

"Nanoya who?"

"Nanoya business."

Retired Colin Hill, 68, from Walsall, who was enjoying a morning in the park with grand- daughters Ruby Brown, nine, and Pearl, six, said: "I love the city and I think everyone tries their best to have a laugh.

"People in the city are generally pretty happy.

Ruby had a golden oldie as her favourite joke.

"Why did the slug cross the road?"

"Because it was stuck to the chicken."

Shopper Stuart Hinchin, 38, from Worcester, said: "A man walks into a pet shop and asks if he can buy a wasp.

The shopkeeper replies, shocked: "We don't sell wasps, sir."

The man says: "Really? You've got a dead one in the window!"