---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I asked my secretary how many words per…"
description: "\"I asked my secretary how many words per minute she did. She replied, 80. I asked, On the computer or on the telephone?\" — Robert D Dangoor"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cf2/robert-d-dangoor-3821_computers_i-asked-my-secretary-how-many-words-per_2734490.jpg"
---

#  I asked my secretary how many words per minute she did…

![“I asked my secretary how many words per minute she did. She replied, 80. I asked, On the computer or on the telephone?” quote by Robert D Dangoor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cf2/robert-d-dangoor-3821_computers_i-asked-my-secretary-how-many-words-per_2734490.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cf2/robert-d-dangoor-3821_computers_i-asked-my-secretary-how-many-words-per_2734490.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cf2/robert-d-dangoor-3821_computers_i-asked-my-secretary-how-many-words-per_2734490.jpg)

> “I asked my secretary how many words per minute she did. She replied, 80. I asked, On the computer or on the telephone?”

[Robert D Dangoor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-d-dangoor/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

A joke about speed and medium highlights the absurdity of bureaucratic questions.

**In simple terms:** Humor reveals absurd workplace queries.

Key Takeaway

Don’t over‑complicate simple tasks.

Themes

workplace humor communication efficiency

Mood

lighthearted critical

Type

interview humor

When to use this quote

- office culture
- management
- training

Key Concepts

bureaucracy clarity productivity

Questions to Reflect On

- How can humor improve workplace clarity?
- When is humor inappropriate?

A Different Perspective

Jokes may undermine professionalism.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Computers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/computers/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/)

## Related quotes

> [“Wow!" He uttered, not understanding why he said it. Lost for words, he decided to smile back at her, rather than appear dumb-stricken. "Liked…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-chong/wow-he-uttered-not-understanding-why-he-said-it-lost-for-words-he/)

[Nicholas Chong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-chong/)

> [ I asked Secretary \[Robert\] Gates, what did they get in return for giving up the nuclear shield of Poland and the Czech Republic? And… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rudy-giuliani/i-asked-secretary-robert-gates-what-did-they-get-in-return-for-giving/)

[Rudy Giuliani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rudy-giuliani/)

> [“Can I please have some coffee?" I asked my secretary, Sue. I knew I was talking to her breasts, but I didn't care: she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brett-kiellerop-morris/can-i-please-have-some-coffee-i-asked-my-secretary-sue-i-knew-i-was/)

[Brett Kiellerop-Morris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brett-kiellerop-morris/)

> [ \[when asked by his secretary if she should destroy all files that were over ten years old\] Yes, but keep copies. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-goldwyn/when-asked-by-his-secretary-if-she-should-destroy-all-files-that-were/)

[Samuel Goldwyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-goldwyn/)

> [I am often asked if, when I was secretary, I had problems with foreign men. That is not who I had problems with, because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-albright/i-am-often-asked-if-when-i-was-secretary-i-had-problems-with-foreign/)

[Madeleine Albright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-albright/)

> [The popular mind often pictures gigantic flying machines speeding across the Atlantic carrying innumerable passengers in a way analogous to our modern steam ships.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-henry-pickering/the-popular-mind-often-pictures-gigantic-flying-machines-speeding/)

William Henry Pickering

> [The display is the computer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jen-hsun-huang/the-display-is-the-computer/)

Jen-Hsun Huang

> [The corporate state is an immensely powerful machine, ordered, legalistic, rational, yet utterly out of human control, wholly and perfectly indifferent to any human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-a-reich/the-corporate-state-is-an-immensely-powerful-machine-ordered/)

[Charles A. Reich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-a-reich/)

> [If you stood me in a costume next to a computer graphic of the same-looking character, I think there would be a difference. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warwick-davis/if-you-stood-me-in-a-costume-next-to-a-computer-graphic-of-the-same/)

[Warwick Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warwick-davis/)

> [“You weren't born to be a cog in the giant industrial machine. You were trained to become a cog. There's an alternative available to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-godin/you-weren-t-born-to-be-a-cog-in-the-giant-industrial-machine-you-were/)

[Seth Godin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-godin/)

> [“Note found in the patron suggestion box: "You have SIGNS up near the computers that say BE QUIET, but people don't be quiet. They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gina-sheridan/note-found-in-the-patron-suggestion-box-you-have-signs-up-near-the/)

[Gina Sheridan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gina-sheridan/)

> [Issac:"I dislike living in a world without Augustus Waters." Computer: "I don't understand-" Issac: "Me neither. Pause](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/issac-i-dislike-living-in-a-world-without-augustus-waters-computer-i/)

[John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/)

> [The time that one gains cannot be accumulated in a storehouse; it is contradictory to want to save up existence, which, the fact is,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simone-de-beauvoir/the-time-that-one-gains-cannot-be-accumulated-in-a-storehouse-it-is/)

[Simone de Beauvoir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simone-de-beauvoir/)

> [“Probably it goes without saying, but time machine guys don't get a lot of action. Had a one night stand with something cute a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-yu/probably-it-goes-without-saying-but-time-machine-guys-don-t-get-a-lot/)

[Charles Yu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-yu/)

> [I don't understand why we're all connected wirelessly via a little machine that goes in our pocket, to everybody in the world, and you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-m-chu/i-don-t-understand-why-we-re-all-connected-wirelessly-via-a-little/)

[Jon M. Chu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-m-chu/)

## More by Robert D Dangoor

> [Before we can wave the handkerchief, we have to have a cold.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-d-dangoor/before-we-can-wave-the-handkerchief-we-have-to-have-a-cold/)

[Robert D Dangoor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-d-dangoor/)

> [You cannot buy happiness but you have to pay the price.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-d-dangoor/you-cannot-buy-happiness-but-you-have-to-pay-the-price/)

[Robert D Dangoor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-d-dangoor/)

> [Girls at the seaside: Too young to handle, too old to hold.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-d-dangoor/girls-at-the-seaside-too-young-to-handle-too-old-to-hold/)

[Robert D Dangoor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-d-dangoor/)

> [We are like amoebae - perpetually changing partners.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-d-dangoor/we-are-like-amoebae-perpetually-changing-partners/)

[Robert D Dangoor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-d-dangoor/)

> [Music is the food of love but dont disturb the neighbours.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-d-dangoor/music-is-the-food-of-love-but-dont-disturb-the-neighbours/)

[Robert D Dangoor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-d-dangoor/)

> [The more the tenants there are, the later the rent gets paid.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-d-dangoor/the-more-the-tenants-there-are-the-later-the-rent-gets-paid/)

[Robert D Dangoor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-d-dangoor/)

> [Dreams are free until they become a reality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-d-dangoor/dreams-are-free-until-they-become-a-reality/)

[Robert D Dangoor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-d-dangoor/)

> [Mother - theres no other.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-d-dangoor/mother-theres-no-other/)

[Robert D Dangoor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-d-dangoor/)

> [You have to adapt to become adept.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-d-dangoor/you-have-to-adapt-to-become-adept/)

[Robert D Dangoor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-d-dangoor/)

> [It's not ugly if you understand it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-d-dangoor/it-s-not-ugly-if-you-understand-it/)

[Robert D Dangoor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-d-dangoor/)

> [Telephone calls have always begun with the question: How are you? But with the mobile phone revolution, it is always followed by another: Where…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-d-dangoor/telephone-calls-have-always-begun-with-the-question-how-are-you-but/)

[Robert D Dangoor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-d-dangoor/)

> [A prisoner is committed for punishment whereas a sovereign is committed for privilege.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-d-dangoor/a-prisoner-is-committed-for-punishment-whereas-a-sovereign-is/)

[Robert D Dangoor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-d-dangoor/)

> [Water: You shed tears. Alcohol: You shed fears.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-d-dangoor/water-you-shed-tears-alcohol-you-shed-fears/)

[Robert D Dangoor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-d-dangoor/)

> [You have to sacrifice something to get everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-d-dangoor/you-have-to-sacrifice-something-to-get-everything/)

[Robert D Dangoor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-d-dangoor/)

> [Depression is when you're waiting not to do things, whereas happiness is when you cannot wait to do things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-d-dangoor/depression-is-when-you-re-waiting-not-to-do-things-whereas-happiness/)

[Robert D Dangoor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-d-dangoor/)

[Explore all 121 Robert D Dangoor quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-d-dangoor/)

## More Computers quotes

> [I don't understand why we're all connected wirelessly via a little machine that goes in our pocket, to everybody in the world, and you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-m-chu/i-don-t-understand-why-we-re-all-connected-wirelessly-via-a-little/)

[Jon M. Chu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-m-chu/)

> [“Probably it goes without saying, but time machine guys don't get a lot of action. Had a one night stand with something cute a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-yu/probably-it-goes-without-saying-but-time-machine-guys-don-t-get-a-lot/)

[Charles Yu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-yu/)

> [The time that one gains cannot be accumulated in a storehouse; it is contradictory to want to save up existence, which, the fact is,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simone-de-beauvoir/the-time-that-one-gains-cannot-be-accumulated-in-a-storehouse-it-is/)

[Simone de Beauvoir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simone-de-beauvoir/)

> [Issac:"I dislike living in a world without Augustus Waters." Computer: "I don't understand-" Issac: "Me neither. Pause](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/issac-i-dislike-living-in-a-world-without-augustus-waters-computer-i/)

[John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/)

> [“Note found in the patron suggestion box: "You have SIGNS up near the computers that say BE QUIET, but people don't be quiet. They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gina-sheridan/note-found-in-the-patron-suggestion-box-you-have-signs-up-near-the/)

[Gina Sheridan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gina-sheridan/)

> [“You weren't born to be a cog in the giant industrial machine. You were trained to become a cog. There's an alternative available to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-godin/you-weren-t-born-to-be-a-cog-in-the-giant-industrial-machine-you-were/)

[Seth Godin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-godin/)

> [If you stood me in a costume next to a computer graphic of the same-looking character, I think there would be a difference. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warwick-davis/if-you-stood-me-in-a-costume-next-to-a-computer-graphic-of-the-same/)

[Warwick Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warwick-davis/)

> [The corporate state is an immensely powerful machine, ordered, legalistic, rational, yet utterly out of human control, wholly and perfectly indifferent to any human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-a-reich/the-corporate-state-is-an-immensely-powerful-machine-ordered/)

[Charles A. Reich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-a-reich/)

> [The display is the computer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jen-hsun-huang/the-display-is-the-computer/)

Jen-Hsun Huang

> [The popular mind often pictures gigantic flying machines speeding across the Atlantic carrying innumerable passengers in a way analogous to our modern steam ships.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-henry-pickering/the-popular-mind-often-pictures-gigantic-flying-machines-speeding/)

William Henry Pickering

> [“Alan Turing proposed the Turing Test: a computer is intelligent if you can't tell it from a human when you talk with it. No…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cjs-hayward/alan-turing-proposed-the-turing-test-a-computer-is-intelligent-if-you/)

[CJS Hayward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cjs-hayward/)

> [Computers can be taught that certain tune or certain chords changes will sound pleasant together, but I don't think it's going to reach a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bonobo/computers-can-be-taught-that-certain-tune-or-certain-chords-changes/)

[Bonobo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bonobo/)

> [Can you imagine any better example of divine creative accomplishment that the consummate flying machine that is a bird? The skeleton, very flexible and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-murchie/can-you-imagine-any-better-example-of-divine-creative-accomplishment/)

[Guy Murchie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-murchie/)

> [“According to this model, human beings are, at least in one aspect, sensation-receiving machines; and although our receptory apparatus is competent to select and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cruce-stark/according-to-this-model-human-beings-are-at-least-in-one-aspect/)

Cruce Stark

> [As in any machine, all the wires must be connected to the mains through one main wire. In the same way, you all must…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nirmala-srivastava/as-in-any-machine-all-the-wires-must-be-connected-to-the-mains/)

[Nirmala Srivastava](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nirmala-srivastava/)

[Browse all 9,389 Computers quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/computers/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "I asked my secretary how many words per minute she did. She replied, 80. I asked, On the computer or on the telephone?",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Robert D Dangoor"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-d-dangoor/i-asked-my-secretary-how-many-words-per-minute-she-did-she-replied-80/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Computers"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-d-dangoor/i-asked-my-secretary-how-many-words-per-minute-she-did-she-replied-80/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cf2/robert-d-dangoor-3821_computers_i-asked-my-secretary-how-many-words-per_2734490.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cf2/robert-d-dangoor-3821_computers_i-asked-my-secretary-how-many-words-per_2734490.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cf2/robert-d-dangoor-3821_computers_i-asked-my-secretary-how-many-words-per_2734490.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“I asked my secretary how many words per minute she did. She replied, 80. I asked, On the computer or on the…” — Robert D Dangoor",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Robert D Dangoor",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-d-dangoor/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "I asked my secretary how many...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-d-dangoor/i-asked-my-secretary-how-many-words-per-minute-she-did-she-replied-80/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-d-dangoor/i-asked-my-secretary-how-many-words-per-minute-she-did-she-replied-80/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
