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Godiva Posted 10 years ago
Grammar

Politician, blonde

Hi,

In these examples:

"Did you hear the story about a politician who was arrested for theft?"
"Did you hear the story about the politician who was arrested for theft?"

"Did you hear the stupid joke about a blonde who walked into a bar?"
"Did you hear the stupid joke about the blonde who walked into a bar?"

I was told by my tutor that either article is fine, where "a" is "some politician/blonde" and "the" is "that", but English tolerates either in this context.

Can you please tell me if that is indeed so?
  

Top answer

I would use only "the" because that's the only way I've ever heard jokes told. It's "the" story, so why not "the" politician? It's "the" story that's going around, being told.

— CalifJim

  • I would use only "the" because that's the only way I've ever heard jokes told.
  • It's "the" story, so why not "the" politician?
  • It's "the" story that's going around, being told.
  • CJ
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6 Answers
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I would use only "the" because that's the only way I've ever heard jokes told. It's "the" story, so why not "the" politician? It's "the" story that's going around, being told.

CJ
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CalifJim It's "the" story, so why not "the" politician?
Well, it's "the" story - a particular story - but about some politician. I am speculating. Is this bad English, "a politician", in that situation, CalifJim?
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CalifJimIt's "the" story, so why not "the" politician?
By the same token, why not "the" bar, but "a bar"? But it's "a bar" . . .
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Godivawhy not "the" bar, but "a bar"?
Who knows? I suppose it's just because that's the way jokes work. Which bar doesn't make any difference, but it's only this one blonde that's the subject of this joke.

CJ
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GodivaIs this bad English, "a politician", in that situation, CalifJim?
Of course not. It's completely grammatical, but I don't choose it when I tell a joke. Imitate whoever you want whose English you trust. It doesn't have to be the way I do it.

CJ
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CalifJimOf course not. It's completely grammatical, but I don't choose it when I tell a joke. Imitate whoever you want whose English you trust. It doesn't have to be the way I do it.
I understand. But you're a native speaker and a very knowledgeable one too, so whenever you say "I wouldn't say it", I think "does it mean it's wrong?"
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