半生缘

[Jim]

Shanghainese, explained here: https://iask.sina.com.cn/b/8973643.html

[Fred0]

I'm sorry but I can't open that link. Safari cannot find the server. Could you copy it for me and post it. It's frustrating. I wish the Chinese would just speak Chinese!????

[Jim]

Here's the bit marked as best answer, seems plausible to me:

 

阿是为仔我要登坑老？

 

直译 [direct translation]

 阿是：是不是；
为仔我：为了我；
要登坑：要上厕所（老上海要大小便都称为蹲茅坑，登＝蹲音）
老：咯，语气词。
这句上海话是一句反问句：是不是为了我要去蹲茅坑咯？
不知道上下文的连接，这里“登坑”也许指其他意思，如：蹲监狱。[Not sure if given the context the 登坑 might also mean "go to prison"]

 

So looks like the joke is precisely that, double meaning of taking a shit on a squat toilet and being sent to gaol.

[Fred0]

Thanks very much!