Why do people tell stories that start with “a funny thing happened on the”?
I guess, in my opinion, is that it is one of those typical, overused cliches that we often use “for-lack-of-another-word” [yet another cliche.] Even the word “cliche” has become cliche. We are so used to hearing stories begin with “a funny thing happened” or “guess what” or even “Once upon a time” that they become like second nature to us and roll off the tongue without even giving it a second thought. I cannot say whether it is due to the “laziness” of society or whether we are just programmed to say those things because they are so common, but for whatever reason cliches live on. Maybe next time you hear someone start a story with “a funny thing happened”, call them out on it. They will be so shocked because the conversation seemed normal, that they probably won’t be beginning a story with that phrase in your presence again. Hope I gave some insight.
A funny thing happened on the way to the forum Book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart Introduction by Larry Gelbart “This brazenly retro Broadway musical, inspired by Plautus, is as timeless as comedy itself.” -Vincent Canby, The New York Times “The most urbane and literate musical comedy text ever conceived.” -John Simon, New York magazine More details A funny thing happened on the way to the forum By Stephen Sondheim, Burt Shevelove, Larry Gelbart, Titus Maccius Plautus Contributor Stephen Sondheim Edition: illustrated Published by Hal Leonard Corporation, 1991 ISBN 1557830649, 9781557830647 184 pages http://books.google.com/books?id=L45xxT7JEfwC&dq=a+funny+thing+happened+on+the&source=gbs_summary_s&cad=0 more info here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
