to ask for your help solving this impossible riddle/joke

[killingtime9198]

My best friend's family have a family 'joke', which she originally told me about when we were about 12/13. When she originally told me she didn't get the joke either, but then later did manage to work it out. When she first met her now husband he didn't get it, but he later also worked it out. I have never managed to get it, and every now and again I will remember the saga of this joke (this has been going on for about 20 years now), try desperately for a few days to work it out and then forget all about it for months.

Anyway, I wonder if the powers of mumsnet can either locate someone who has heard this 'joke' before, or who can work it out!

The joke is:

'There once was a man called Boswell. For short they called him Bos, and he walked up the post office steps.'

The joke is definitely NOT that there is no joke, and they're all having a laugh at me for trying to work it out - I am 100% confident of this.

Can’t believe I read this whole thing. Placemarking incase of there ever being a solution.

Boscombe Down - I like it! Though Wiltshire has been repeatedly mentioned through the thread, so what has OP or anyone else responses to it? Hmmmm?

@BumsexAtTheBingo, no I think that with going to the Post Office it didn’t need to be the post office

Boswell, no I didn't, though come to think of it said friend lived in Tottenham for a while. Does that match up with you?

Haven't RTFT so someone might already have it but:

There once was a man called Boswelland. For short they called him bosand. He walked up the post office steps

Errol DD says is it 122?

No one has it then?? Argh!!

wtaf....

Both libraries and post offices have lots of letters though.

Bos needed four more letters to be Boswell.

Makes perfect sense and no need for “up the steps either”.

I still think the horses name was Friday

DoodleLab I don't think so… plus there was an extra layer to that joke in my hands.

and no need for “up the steps either”.

And yet it's there! Fit the theory to the facts not vice versa!

Just marking my place. Have nothing to add

At least you read the full thread, Bluebell.

We’ll get to page 38 and will still be seeing: ‘how about for = four???’

And yet it's there! Fit the theory to the facts not vice versa!

I thought it has been confirmed that it didn’t need an “up”? This is mind blowing

Boswell, what was the extra layer to your version of the joke? I'd love to out-bad-joke my friend next time I see her

OK, I've read the first 12 pages and the last, so I hope I haven't missed anything.

Someone up thread had it and you all missed it!

The words are irrelevant. The friend said you have to see it in person! It is a visual joke.
We used to have loads that we played at Christmas - copy the first person, then you say some silly sentence/rhyme and then cross your legs. Everyone tried for ages to get it right, but the snetence is irrelevant, the only thing that matters is that you cross your legs.

So I'm guessing that the same thing is with this joke. You have to see it, there is a visual twist

Where the fucking fuck is the OP?

I cant wait til Thursday to find out what the hell is going on.

Placemarking

Riddley and StripeySocks have correct 'solutions' for mine. (It's based on the H to O crossword clue)

ScreamingValenta I wouldn't be surprised if the riddles were nonsensical and prizes predetermined - the rules on the value of prizes given away on gameshows in the 70s and 80s were ridiculously strict.

Ah well, Boswell that ends well.

Could it be a play on numbers?

Once= 1 for short =-4
Answer -3

I have no idea but really want to know

@pallisers "I pass the scissors crossed" was in The Chimney Sweeper's Boy by Barbara Vine

Well that's several hours of my life I will never get back!

20 bloody years OP!

But Boswelland Forshort chuffing hilarious

Okay - here's my partial theory (although Boscombe Down seems good). Maybe the 'short' is a drink, the post office or library etc is the name of a pub?