Why It's Really COOOOL to be a freakin' nerd or, How to Use "42" to Astound and Astonish Passersby

At the grocery store, looking for a steak to use in tonight's dinner (a yummy noodle dish from Wagamama* Noodle Bar in London....) the meat-lady was putting out freshly cut steaks. She was kind of in my way, and said "Can I help you find anything?" once she realized it. I had just spied the NY Strips. I said "Nope. I just found what I was lookin' for." She said: "Yes, mumble mumble ::laugh:: The meaning of life!" (I didn't get the first part). So I said "It's 42." She looked slightly stunned and said, "Ma'am?" I said "You know. 42. The Meaning of Life" ::waving my hand a little embarrassed, dismissive of myself cause she clearly doesn't get the joke:: "It's silly stuff. Just a book thing". As I'm turning to leave she says "OH! Cause that's how old I am, and I wondered how you knew!?" I said, smiling, "Magic." And headed up the baking supplies aisle as she continued putting away her steaks.

*The chili beef ramen. mmmmmmmmmmmm.