Judge, 1913-06-28 · page 16 of 25
Judge — June 28, 1913 — page 16: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page collects short humorous anecdotes translated from European satirical magazines (Punch, Fliegende Blaetter, Lustige Blaetter, Jugend). The jokes reflect early 20th-century domestic and social comedy: **Key themes:** - Romantic rejection and awkward courtship - Marital misunderstandings (a husband mistakenly inviting multiple women to dinner, thinking each is his wife) - Professional impropriety (a piano teacher kissing his student while claiming "andante con amore"—a musical instruction—as excuse) - Children's innocent mispronunciations and observations - Physical comedy and social pretension The humor relies on wordplay, double meanings, and relatable domestic situations. These are gentle, family-appropriate jokes showcasing European wit—the magazine's purpose in reprinting them was to present cosmopolitan, sophisticated humor to American readers and demonstrate shared comedic sensibilities across cultures.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
The End of Suspense He (about to depart after rejection)— This, then, is your final decision? She (firmly)—It is. He—Then I shall post those satin sus- penders to you; or will you have them now ?—Sketch (London). The Wonders of Natural History This dog, not having a tail to wag to show his joy at his master’s return, has developed a remarkable power of facial expression.—Punch (London). Frau—Wie kommen denn die vielen Damen hier an den Tisch ? Gatte—Ach, du weiszt ja, wie kurzsichtig ich bin; ich dachte immer, du wiirst es und winkte ihnen. Wife—How does it happen that all these ladies are at your table? Husband— Well, you know how short- sighted Iam! I thought in each case it was you, and beckoned to them.—Meggen- dorfer Blaetter (Munich). A Ready Excuse Mutter—Uber, Herr Miller, wie kommen Sie dazu, meine Tochter in'der Klavierstunde zu kissen ! Musiklehrer—Ach, sehen Sie, hier steht halt an+ dante con amore ! Mother--But, Mr. Miller, how do you come to kiss my daughter during the piano lesson? Music teacher—Well, you see, it says here andante con amore! — Fliegende Blaetter (Munich). Sport Enthusiasts <2“ Hermann, fahr’ nich so schnell. wer weist, ob io hier_nich doch Draht gespannt haben!” Who “Don't drive so fast, Herman! knows but what they have stretched a wire across here, too.’’—Lustige Blaetter (Berlin), Benevolent lady (at Whitsuntide school treat)—Well, Lizzie, and who's your little friend? —‘Little friend,’ n't me “‘little friend”’; feller!—Punch (London). iss Smiff? that’s me “Uber, Mama, warum sagst Du immer zum Papa Kamel,—er sieht doch gar nicht so aus?!” “But, mamma, why do you always call papa a camel? He doesn’t look at ail like one.''—Jugend (Munich). Youth at the Barber’s “Eh bien, argon! Qu’est-co que vous attendez pour me raser?”” “* Jattends—que ¢a pousse!” “Well, boy, what are you waiting for? To shave me?” “IT am_ waiting —for something to iede wieder, stellt. Schlaghotz.” “Just see what a position Elfrida takes! The most graceful part of her is the hockey stick !""—Meggendorfer Blaet- ter (Munich). comicbooks.com