h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

How to explain the offside rule to women has long been a problem: but here we are: the explanation told in the form of shoe-shopping!

You're in a shoe shop, second in the queue for the till. Behind the shop assistant on the till is a pair of shoes which you have seen and which you must have. The shopper in front of you has seen them also and is eyeing them with desire. Both of you have forgotten your purse. It would be rude to push in front of the first woman if you had no money to pay for the shoes.

The shop assistant remains at the till waiting.

Your friend is at the back of the shop and sees your dilemma. She prepares to throw her purse to you. If she does so, you can catch the purse, then walk round the other shopper and buy the shoes! At a pinch she could throw the purse ahead of the other shopper and "whilst it is in flight" you could nip around the other shopper, catch the purse and buy the shoes.

BUT, you must always remember that until the purse has "actually been thrown", it would be plain wrong for you to be in front of the other shopper and you would be OFFSIDE!

I don't think I have ever seen such a perfect explanation of the off-side rule. Brilliant!

oh my
is rolling his eyes but I perfectly understood that.

fantastic

LOL Excellent.