Life, 1929-02-08 · page 32 of 44
Life — February 8, 1929 — page 32: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page collects short jokes and humorous anecdotes from various early 20th-century publications, presented without political content. The humor targets universal human experiences: **Social observations**: A scientist predicts toothless births (joke: babies are already born that way); a woman's endless talking compared to a brook; insomnia sufferers unable to sleep even when intended. **Romantic/domestic comedy**: Flirting couples, a woman engaged to multiple men for financial reasons (comedic desperation), and a couple reconciling after five years apart. **Class-based humor**: A laundry collector refusing to leave until paid; a pedestrian warning a motorist they'll arrive first anyway (defiant working-class wit). **Professional absurdity**: A professor unconcerned about a fire in another room; a persistent writer resubmitting rejected work, claiming his year of experience justifies reconsideration. The cartoons illustrate select jokes with simple line drawings. Overall, the page reflects period comedy conventions: gender stereotypes, economic struggle, marital dynamics, and gentle mockery of human nature rather than topical satire.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
30 FUNNY NOTION OF OURS A Barris scientist predicts that in time to come men will be born toothless. We thought, in our ignorance, that they usu- ally were born that way. Boston Transcript. He: If you keep looking at me like that I'm going to kiss you. | Sue: Well, I can’t hold this expression much longer. Tit-Bits. “T’'ve been trying to think of a word for two weeks.” “What about fortnight?” Columbia Jester. BSS iS Hostess: There's a terrible draught coming from somewhere, Mary. Maw: Yes, ma'am, It's the man with the laundry bill and he won't take his foot out of the front door. —London Opinion. MAN ON THE BANK: If you don't come off that thin ice at once, I shall tell your father, Boy: Ha! Ha! Father’s in that hole! —Passing Show. Sue (thoughtfully): Why do so many women rest their chins on their hands when they are thinking? He (érutally): To keep their mouths shut so that they won't disturb them selves. Answers, Frank: Is it true you are engaged to three other men besides me? Frances: Why? “Well, I was thinking the four of us might raise enough by clubbing together to buy you an engagement-ring.” Answers. Wovtp-se Contrisutor: Here's my manuscript which I offered you a year ago. Epitor: But if I refused it a year ago, what's the use of bringing it back now? Contrisutor: Well, you have had a year’s experience since then. Weekly Telegraph. Sympatiizer: How's your insomnia? Ixcuraste: Worse and worse. I can’t even sleep when it’s time to get up. Answers. Pepestrian (to passing motorist): Hi, mister, I’m going your way. Motorist: So I see; but I'll get there before you do. Pearson's Weekly. Woman’s talk, like the little brook, goes on for ever; but the little brook gets somewhere in the end. London Calling. ° Mat: Professor, the next room is on fire! . Cunt: My wife and I got on splendidly for five years. Proressor: Why worry me? Am I in Souicrtor: Ah! What happened then? the next room? Passing Show. Cutent: She came back. —Punch (By permission), comicbooks.com { ' ; ‘ 1