Judge — March 17, 1900 — page 5: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This is a satirical cartoon from *Judge* magazine showing a domestic scene. A well-meaning husband enthusiastically declares he loves his mother-in-law "like the very devil," while his wife looks dismayed at his poor word choice. The satire hinges on the husband's malapropism—he intends to express deep affection but uses an expression that actually conveys demonic or negative feelings. The cartoon mocks the tension between mothers-in-law and sons-in-law, a perennial source of domestic humor. His earnest but tactless declaration reveals the awkwardness underlying in-law relationships, even when genuine goodwill exists. The framed portrait on the wall likely represents the approaching mother-in-law, intensifying the wife's concern about his unfortunate phrasing. The joke targets male social clumsiness and marital discord.