Indeed, later generations said, "Wherever you meet a word of R. Eliezer ben R. Jose HaGelili in the aggadah, make your ear like a funnel."
In later generations, it was taught to pay heed to any mention of R. Eliezer ben R. Jose HaGelili in the aggadah, taking in his words with an ear that is open and attentive, much like a funnel guiding sound into its proper channel.