Talk:794: Inside Joke

Explain xkcd: It's 'cause you're dumb.
Revision as of 22:45, 30 March 2015 by 108.162.250.155 (talk)
Jump to: navigation, search

I believe the reference to the ladder is the origin of the 'Monk Jump over the Wall Soup', where a monk (who is not allowed to eat meat) broke his meditation to escape from the monastery as he smelt the delicious food cooking on the other side.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddha_Jumps_Over_the_Wall#Origin

In this case, the ham seller comments that his products are so delicious that 'even the monk nearby is climbing over the wall to get some ham', after being remarked that his product was too expensive.

131.111.141.12 11:48, 29 May 2013 (UTC)Justin

Added the last line to the explanation Ad1217 (talk) 19:13, 16 May 2014 (UTC)


Assuming Randall Munroe had a specific reference in mind, it could just as well be a reference to Saint John Climacus, known as "John of the ladder". AD 525-606. His book "the ladder" was widely circulated and concerns steps to an ascetic life. The roman catholic church celebrate him during the fasting season, when one is not to eat meat.

The joke here is then that "monk out back with a ladder" can mean both "so climb in the rear window and steal some" and "The monk's here with a copy of the book "the ladder", go convert to free ascetism if money and meat is too much for you" 141.101.98.237 12:11, 19 January 2015 (UTC)

Wouldn't the shopkeeper say "The Ladder", not "a ladder" then? -Pennpenn 108.162.250.155 22:45, 30 March 2015 (UTC)