J.: Well, Arnold, I remember you said once you were a B. A. Perhaps you could tell me how quickly you got those letters after your name? A.: At university I studied history. It was a 3-year course. And after that I got a B. A degree. J.: B.A. stands for Bachelor of Arts degree, doesn't it? A.: Yes, which reminds me of my neighbour whose son had just got his B. A. A friend asked very seriously: "I suppose your son will try to get an M. A. or Ph. D."51 next to which my neighbour answered: "Not at all, now he is trying to get a J-O-B." A: Ah... he meant a job! That's a good joke!