both screw up Boeings

j   Fri Oct 06, 2006 8:03 pm GMT
Here is a musical joke:
Why is a violist like a terrorist? They both screw up Boeings.

What is it actually 'screw up Boeings'?
j   Fri Oct 06, 2006 9:50 pm GMT
and if it's not Boeing, what does it mean in relation to a violist? Does it relate to a terrible sound his instrument produces?
Robin   Fri Oct 06, 2006 10:52 pm GMT
I think it is to do with a Volinist, screwing up, or breaking:

Boe Strings

or Boe Ings.

Sorry, my mispelling:

'Bow Strings' or

Bow-ings (Boeings): the pronunciation is the same, and that is the source of the humour.

In context: "arrangements for strings The fingerings and bowings on the violin part are meant to make it as easy to play as possible, eg, avoiding string crossings with legato bowing. ...

So, we got there in the end. Not a very funny joke.
j   Sat Oct 07, 2006 4:56 am GMT
Thank you, Robin. It's definitely bowing.