A long time ago, when Dan-Air were still a proud company, there was a looming French ATC strike. We listened to this Dan-Air pilot trying to winkle out of a female controller on a Bordeaux frequency when they were planning to walk out. The initial question "Will there be any problems on my return flight tonight?" was met with a puzzled response. Two more equally obtuse questions, both avoiding the dreaded word "STRIKE" were met with further puzzled responses. Then he tried a different tack "Do you anticipate any problems in your Brest Area this evening?" Quick as a flash some wag chimed in "Oh, delicately put Sir!" I don't know what she said after that, because we were both killing ourselves laughing...