The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

LEGS IN PARENTHESES

A LADY HAD A LITTLE GIRL, WHOM SHE WAS WORRIED ABOUT,
BECAUSE THE GIRL WAS ALWAYS INSULTING PEOPLE,
ESPECIALLY BOWLEGGED MEN. IN AN EFFORT TO CORRECT THE
PROBLEM, SHE SENT HER AWAY TO A SCHOOL, ESPECIALLY
KNOWN FOR TEACHING MANNERS. ONE DAY, AFTER THE GIRL
RETURNED, HER MOTHER AND SHE WERE OUT TOGETHER, WHEN
THEY SAW A BOWLEGGED MAN. NOW, THOUGHT HER MOTHER,
WILL COME THE TEST. THE GIRL SIMPLY SAID:
"OH ME, OH MY, WHAT MEN ARE THESE
WHO WEAR THEIR LEGS IN PARENTHESES?"

Where learned: FOURTH GRADE CLASS