Years ago, when there were flight service stations:

TriPacer 3438A:
"Chicago area radio, this is TriPacer 3438A requesting a practice DF steer to Joliet."

Chicago:
"38A, we are very busy now and unable a to provide a practice steer. We can only respond to a lost aircraft."

[pregnant pause]

TriPacer 3438A:
"O.K. 38A will take one of those."

Grant Besley
via e-mail