Formality and idiosyncracies

On the House floor, business is conducted in quite a formal way. Motions are stated in the method of Mason’s Legislative Procedure, but some people have adaptations to the established formula.

Speaker Bob Bergren, on third reading of bills, says, “House Bill 63, having been read through three several times, the question is: Shall the bill pass?”

I don’t think he knows he says “three several times”, but I think it’s funny.