The lightbulb joke is an example of an endless-variations joke and has numerous versions that satirize a wide range of cultures, beliefs, occupations and groups. Generally, the punch line is derogatory to the group that is the subject of the joke.
The generally acknowledged “original” goes as follows:
Q. How many [insert target group here] does it take to change a light bulb?
A. Ten — one to hold the light bulb and nine to turn the ladder around.
On Wednesday we saw a live performance of one of the joke’s variations when more than twenty police officers attempted, with little immediate success, to erect a “knife arch” on the school drive. References to the filming of the latest “Police Academy” sequel were so close to the truth as to be unkind.
It was pleasing that the random search resulted in the discovery of no weapons or other illegal items and that the pupils entered into the activity in the right spirit – recognising that it is their safety we are trying to ensure.