[MickeyC]

When I was fresh out of college and living on my own , my boss's boss's wife invited the whole office to a dinner party. And the invitation said , "Please bring a plate".

So, well intentioned but hopelessly dumb, I went down to the local store and bought a plate as the place I was living didn't even have a kitchen much less any utensils.

Anyway, I arrived up at the dinner party spot on time and, when the boss's wife answered the door, I proudly handed her the (empty) new plate. She smiled weakly and invited me to join the others on the veranda.

About a half hour later, she came up to me as asked me to come out to the kitchen. I, of course, complied and dutifully followed her. When I got there I found all the wives were there waiting for us.

Then, she asked me if in a serious tone, when I'd gotten the invitation, did I take it that 'bring a plate' meant just that. "Yes" I said, pleased I actually read the invitation.

Needless to say, the wives broke into gales of laughter. When that finally died down, after what seemed like an hour, they gleefully explained the 'bring a plate' concept as my face got redder and redder.

Cripes