Here is a supposedly true story someone found regarding exams
at Cambridge University. It seems that during an examination
one day a bright young student popped up and asked the proctor
to bring him Cakes and Ale. The following dialog ensued:
Proctor: I beg your pardon?
Student: Sir, I request that you bring me Cakes and Ale.
Proctor: Sorry, no.
Student: Sir, I really must insist. I request and require
that you bring me Cakes and Ale.
At this point, the student produced a copy of the four hun-
dred year old Laws of Cambridge, written in Latin and still
nominally in effect, and pointed to the section which read
(roughly translated):
"Gentlemen sitting examinations may request and require Cakes and Ale.
" Pepsi and hamburgers were judged the modern equivalent, and the student
sat there,writing his examination and happily slurping away.
Three weeks later, the same student was fined five pounds for not
wearing a sword to the examination.
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