Judge — August 16, 1919 — page 3: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# "The Man That Everybody Wanted to Brush" This cartoon satirizes a man who becomes the object of universal desire—but specifically to brush him off or attack him. The repeated refrain "Brush you off, sir?" creates the joke through double meaning: while "brush off" colloquially means to dismiss or rebuff someone, the cartoon depicts literal brushing and beating. The comic shows various figures (appearing to represent different social classes and professions) eagerly taking their turn striking this unfortunate man with brushes, brooms, and other implements. The satire likely targets a specific unpopular public figure or politician of August 1919, whom the cartoonist suggests everyone wanted to harm or humiliate. Without additional context, the specific target remains unclear, though the date places this during the turbulent post-WWI period.