Laughter and Punctuation

As a kid of about 8, from my room I could hear my mother nearly helpless with laughter. She was listening to a record. Off and on there had been piano music but now there was just some guy talking and making funny noises. Intrigued by her outbursts I ventured into the living room and there she was face all flushed from exertion and delight. "What's that?" I asked "  "Oh you should hear this" she replied. This was the first time my mother had suggested that I actually listen to something with her.  Part of me went into dread mode -this sounded like it was supposed to be "good for me" which so far in my life meant that it tasted awful or there was a needle involved. But too late to run and hide.

She re set the record. And for the next few minutes my young ears were treated to Victor Borge's Phonetic Punctuation skit. For those of you unfamiliar with it- he had decided that when people speak- to better understand each other- all punctuation-periods commas,question marks etc. should have should have their own individual sound. He proceeded to demonstrate how it worked and my mother and I were for the first time joined in gales of  laughter over a brilliant something we both got. Of course I then proceeded to torment my family,friends and schoolmates for months afterwards with the funny noises I'd learned, but it was the first time that punctuation was fun and felt musical.
 I've read since that teachers will use this skit as an aid in phonetics instruction and why the hell not? Don't you find that when something has made you laugh with delight  you remember it?
I include a youtube link here  Mr.Borge in concert in his later years doing the skit. The sound is not the best      but the brilliance of  this skit and where and when I first heard it I will never forget.

                                                             

                                      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bpIbdZhrzA