Judge — December 3, 1904 — page 16: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page contains two ethnic stereotype cartoons typical of early 1900s American humor. **Top cartoon ("An Honest Prevarication"):** Two Irish characters (identified by dialect spelling: "Oi," "thot," "lasht") discuss drinking. Pat claims he didn't touch alcohol for three days—but admits that was only "wan day lasht wake," making his boast dishonest. The joke plays on Irish stereotypes as heavy drinkers prone to exaggeration. **Bottom cartoon ("In Sunny Tennessee"):** A Southern hotel keeper discusses Northern guests with an older Black man ("Old Mose"). The keeper's compliment—that these Yankees can curse about the food in five languages—is backhanded: it praises their linguistic ability while insulting both the food quality and implying these "refined" visitors are crude. The dialect and imagery reflect period racial caricature conventions. Both cartoons rely on ethnic/regional stereotypes for humor, reflecting Judge magazine's satirical approach to American social types.