A man who was attempting to complete a crossword puzzle for the first time in his stupid life was foiled by his own mother's attempts to help him.
Johnny Norris was one word away from completing the daily crossword in his local paper but was stuck at the following clue:
"Across - The matriarch of the family. Familial term. 3-letters"
Johnny was struggling and asked his mother Nora if she knew.
"Mum's the word", she replied.
Instead of accepting her help, Johnny taught she was keeping schtum.
"Oh, mother, please tell me. Don't be like that!", Johnny pleaded.
"Mum's the word", she again replied.
Johnny was now getting quite upset. He taught his mother was mocking him.
Admittedly, it didn't help that his mother had a habit of winking and touching her nose - a tick she developed as a child growing up in North Wales.
Poor Johnny eventually gave up and forfeited the puzzle and the chance at winning the newspapers daily prize of a half a veggie sausage from the local deli and a 1974 calendar.
