My neighbour asked if he could use my lawnmower and I told him of course he could, so long as he didn't take it out of my garden.

The quote by Eric Morecambe, "My neighbour asked if he could use my lawnmower and I told him of course he could, so long as he didn't take it out of my garden," showcases Morecambe’s signature style of humor, which often relied on absurdity and irony. The statement starts off as a simple act of neighborly goodwill, offering to lend a lawnmower, but it takes an unexpected twist with the seemingly ridiculous condition of not taking it "out of my garden." The humor arises from the idea that a lawnmower, an item typically used to mow large areas, could be confined to a single garden, which is an impractical and humorous stipulation.

The quote plays on the notion of over-cautiousness or perhaps control, as it implies that the speaker is unwilling to let the lawnmower venture beyond his immediate property. It exaggerates the normalcy of lending and turns it into an unnecessarily convoluted request. This creates humor through the unexpected and nonsensical nature of the condition, highlighting Morecambe’s love for turning ordinary situations into moments of absurdity.

This kind of humor is characteristic of Eric Morecambe, known for his work as a British comedian and half of the comedy duo Morecambe and Wise. Their acts often blended sharp wit with silly, playful exchanges. Morecambe’s quote here captures the essence of his comedic style, which frequently involved presenting situations with a straightforward delivery, only for them to take an unexpected and humorous turn.

The origin of the quote is rooted in Morecambe’s comedic approach, which often took mundane scenarios and added layers of nonsense or exaggeration to make them amusing. It reflects his knack for finding humor in ordinary life and showcasing the humor inherent in human interactions, all while maintaining an air of playfulness and charm.