Dead Parrot

The Dead Parrot sketch, alternatively and originally known as Pet Shop sketch or Parrot Sketch, is a popular sketch from Monty Python’s Flying Circus, one of the most famous in the history of television comedy.

It portrays a conflict between disgruntled customer Mr. Eric Praline (played by John Cleese), and a shopkeeper (Michael Palin), who hold contradictory positions on the vital state of a “Norwegian Blue” parrot (an apparent absurdity in itself since parrots are popularly presumed to be tropical and not indigenous to Scandinavia).

The skit pokes fun at the many euphemisms for death used in English culture. The sketch aired in the eighth episode of the television series.Wikipedia

Praline (the customer) points out that the only reason that the parrot had been sitting on its perch in the first place was that it had been nailed there. The shopkeeper counters that it was simply to stop it escaping. Praline disagrees in these words:

It’s not pinin’, it’s passed on! This parrot is no more! It has ceased to be! It’s expired and gone to meet its maker! This is a late parrot. It’s a stiff. Bereft of life, it rests in peace, if you hadn’t nailed it to the perch it would be pushing up the daisies! It’s rung down the curtain and joined the choir invisible! This is an ex-parrot!

For the rest of the entry plus a link to the video clip of the skit, please click here.