The patter is actually 'opera'. :) In case anyone is particularly interested, the song is from the light (comic) opera "Pirates of Penzance", and its original lyrics go along the following lines:

GENERAL: I am the very model of a modern Major-General,
         I've information vegetable, animal, and mineral,
         I know the kings of England, and I quote the fights historical
         From Marathon to Waterloo, in order categorical;
         I'm very well acquainted, too, with matters mathematical,
         I understand equations, both the simple and quadratical,
         About binomial theorem I'm teeming with a lot o' news,
         With many cheerful facts about the square of the hypotenuse.

ALL:      With many cheerful facts, etc. etc. etc.

GENERAL: I'm very good at integral and differential calculus;
         I know the scientific names of beings animalculus:
         In short, in matters vegetable, animal, and mineral,
         I am the very model of a modern Major-General.

Three guesses why it appeals to geeks. :)