• Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

Leanne Shirtliffe

Poetry | Humour | Children's Books | Writing Workshops

  • Writing in the World
  • Children’s Books
    • The Genius Hour Project
    • Sloth to the Rescue
    • I Love Sharks, Too!
    • Saving Thunder the Great
    • No More Beige Food
    • The Change Your Name Store
    • Guides/Activities
  • Humour Books
    • The Genius Hour Project
    • Don’t Lick The Minivan
    • Mommyfesto
  • Writing Workshops
    • Upcoming Workshops
    • About Chasing Wonder Workshops
    • Workshop FAQ
  • About
  • Subscribe to Newsletter
  • Contact
    • General Inquiries

The Silly Walk: a dance that has legs

The Silly WalkGangnam Style and the Harlem Shake are yesterday’s Macarena.

The new dance that’s taking my suburban home by storm is actually an old one. And it’s not a dance but a walk.

I present to you The Silly Walk.

It was Friday night. My husband was watching the Blue Jays (a team that meets his requirements because they (a) are from Toronto (b) lose more times than they win). While I was picking up some of last week’s junk off the floor, I decided I needed more attention, so I goose stepped in front of the television.

My husband laughed. “That looks like a silly walk.”

I looked at him strangely, missing the reference.

“You know,” he said, “Monty Python.”

My eyes lit up. I knew Monty Python.

He continued. “The Ministry of Silly Walks.”

I smiled, trying to will that sketch somewhere into my  memory.

“Here, come watch it.” Within seconds, he’d cued it up on his iPhone.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqhlQfXUk7w

We watched. As did William.

Then our eight-year-old did his own hilarious silly walk.

Here’s a how-to version of William’s walk:

  1. Stand up (since you’re likely reading this sitting on your butt).
  2. Arch your back.
  3. Look up as high as you can, so you can almost see behind you.
  4. Still looking back, begin walking, ensuring you kick your legs as high as they go.
  5. Sit down.
  6. Call your chiropractor.

~

Are you a Monty Python fan?

Filed Under: Hilarious Family Moments

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. What I Like Is Sounds says

    April 8, 2013 at 6:14 am

    I love Monty Python like oxygen!

    Reply
  2. Heather says

    April 8, 2013 at 6:24 am

    My older brother showed me the joy of Monty Python and I’ve enjoyed it every since and I was happy to find out that my hubby is fan, too. This past Friday we intruded our two children to Monty Python via YouTube. Hubby made sure to show them the Silly Walk, to which they both like it. We’re thinking maybe one of the movies this coming weekend.

    Reply
    • Leanne Shirtliffe (Ironic Mom) says

      April 9, 2013 at 7:41 pm

      After reading your comment, I realize that we need to indoctrinate our kids more the Python way…

      Reply
  3. Jane Sadek says

    April 8, 2013 at 6:26 am

    A favorite memory from college, Sunday night TV with friends.

    Reply
  4. Go Jules Go says

    April 8, 2013 at 6:58 am

    I’m actually reading your blog while standing on my head, and I think it’s awfully rude of you to assume otherwise.

    And now I’ve injured myself.

    (…You know it’s coming…)

    Never fear – it’s only a flesh wound.

    Reply
    • Leanne Shirtliffe (Ironic Mom) says

      April 9, 2013 at 7:42 pm

      So so funny. I’m laughing so hard I can’t think of a witty comment!

      Reply
  5. The Byronic Man says

    April 8, 2013 at 7:11 am

    Monty Python is that great gift for the person who comes along and feels like they’ve not only “discovered” it, but that surely these sketches were made with him/her personally in mind.

    Reply
    • Leanne Shirtliffe (Ironic Mom) says

      April 9, 2013 at 7:43 pm

      Cleese wrote or co-wrote many of them, right? I can imagine how this one started…with his 6’5″ frame walking strangely…

      Reply
  6. Balsillie & Associates says

    April 8, 2013 at 9:19 am

    A dear friend of mine and I in high school used to nearly laugh ourselves sick at this stuff

    Reply
    • Leanne Shirtliffe (Ironic Mom) says

      April 9, 2013 at 7:43 pm

      It’s worth revisiting. 🙂

      Reply
      • Balsillie & Associates says

        April 10, 2013 at 10:09 am

        So true

        Reply
  7. Swimminhill says

    April 8, 2013 at 9:29 am

    I can’t imagine life without the Silly Walk. Really. It’s often the key to cheering someone up, ending an argument, and making mean people nice. Try it.

    Reply
    • Leanne Shirtliffe (Ironic Mom) says

      April 9, 2013 at 7:44 pm

      I think you’re on to something here. Maybe we could solve conflict in the Middle East if we could get enough people silly walking.

      Reply
  8. susielindau says

    April 8, 2013 at 9:59 am

    This was one of my favorite shows back in the day. We did silly walks for weeks after watching!

    Reply
  9. dirtyrottenparenting says

    April 8, 2013 at 10:08 am

    Well now I’ve got a hankerin to watch Monty Python again… and also to give someone a good taunting.

    Reply
  10. Our Life In 3D says

    April 8, 2013 at 10:25 am

    What a great idea for the kids! Its gotta be mor fun than the hokey pokey! I loved Monty Python!

    Reply
  11. skippingstones says

    April 8, 2013 at 12:48 pm

    Yes, definitely!

    Reply
  12. One Fit Mama says

    April 8, 2013 at 2:06 pm

    Favorite – right along with the machine that goes ping – my kids have no idea what I’m referring to!

    Reply
    • Leanne Shirtliffe (Ironic Mom) says

      April 9, 2013 at 7:44 pm

      It’s like it’s own language!

      Reply
  13. earthriderjudyberman says

    April 8, 2013 at 4:47 pm

    Funny story, Leanne. Unfortunately, the video has been disabled and you’re asked to watch it on YouTube. I did. Also hysterical.

    Reply
    • Leanne Shirtliffe (Ironic Mom) says

      April 9, 2013 at 7:45 pm

      Thanks for going the extra mile. Glad you enjoyed it.

      Reply
  14. ryoko861 says

    April 8, 2013 at 5:03 pm

    So miss Monty Python! THAT was comedy! Only in Britain can they come up with stuff like that! Love British humor!

    Reply
    • Leanne Shirtliffe (Ironic Mom) says

      April 9, 2013 at 7:45 pm

      The Brits do humour so well.

      Reply
  15. errollbundelfeuerstein says

    April 9, 2013 at 10:56 am

    I just thought of Monty Python when I read your last post “How not to promote…” Didn’t you think of their lesson “How not to be seen”? But now to something completely different… 🙂

    Reply
    • Leanne Shirtliffe (Ironic Mom) says

      April 9, 2013 at 7:45 pm

      Bwahaha. Great connection. I missed that!

      Reply
  16. Aimee says

    April 9, 2013 at 11:04 am

    I LOVE Monty Python! (Nudge nudge, wink wink, say no more….)

    Reply
  17. tiefsa says

    April 9, 2013 at 4:24 pm

    Heck yeah I’m a fan. I need to watch The Holy Grail stat! Don’t make fun of the Blue Jays. I think they may actually be good this year, unlike how I think my Brewers will do.

    Reply
    • Leanne Shirtliffe (Ironic Mom) says

      April 9, 2013 at 7:46 pm

      The Jays’ roster looks awesome.

      On paper.

      Reply
  18. Marianne says

    April 9, 2013 at 7:42 pm

    I’ve tried to perfect this walk but I can’t. I think I wear the wrong type of pants

    Reply
    • Leanne Shirtliffe (Ironic Mom) says

      April 9, 2013 at 7:46 pm

      Just get some of your wild shoes on…

      Reply
  19. JM Randolph says

    April 10, 2013 at 3:34 pm

    LOVE Monty Python. What did your husband think of Geddy Lee (from Rush) throwing out the first pitch and throwing a strike?

    Reply
  20. Marianne says

    April 15, 2013 at 10:18 am

    This scares the living daylights out of me because it makes it all real.

    Reply
  21. Ricky Anderson says

    April 16, 2013 at 10:46 am

    Nope.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Footer

  • Instagram

© 2005–2026 · Leanne Shirtliffe ·