Judge, 1924-04-05 · page 9 of 36
Judge — April 5, 1924 — page 9: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Explanation for Modern Readers This page from *Judge* magazine contains several short jokes and cartoons satirizing 1920s American social trends: **Mah-Jongg obsession**: The opening poem mocks the craze for the Chinese tile game, which swept America in the 1920s. Everyone played it everywhere—it was inescapable. **Various dating/relationship jokes**: These poke fun at courtship conventions (the Poe's "Raven" gag seems nonsensical, suggesting the joke itself is intentionally dumb). **The bricklayer cartoon**: A working-class man at a party refuses to play mah-jongg without payment, treating it as labor rather than entertainment—satirizing how the wealthy treat games as leisure while he needs wages. **The "Returned American"**: A joke about a soldier returning from overseas, nervous about his large stature fitting through the ship's gangway. **"The Daily Dozen"**: A satirical poem about a popular 1920s exercise routine that caused muscle soreness—mocking the fitness craze. Overall, these pieces humorously critique fads, class differences, and changing social customs of the Jazz Age.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
S.0.8. “aifoxas.” the captain shouted, IVI As he staggered down the stair; They play it in the smoking room, The bridge and everywhere. What can I do, where can T go; To miss their frantic, “Pung,” And “Chow,” and cry of fiendish glee, As some one yells, “MAH JONGG.” So she married him with reserva- tions? Yes, to Bermuda. Say, do you know Poe's ‘Raven’?” “No; what's he mad about?” She—Kisses are the language of love. He—Let's talk it over! “Have you been exercising, Bertie?” “Yes, and getting strong. I cawn’t garwette without bweaking the papah.” Bricklayer (at wife’s party)—This game’s no amusement for me. Pay Saas . me three dollars an hour and I'll play it! It takes “jack” to get a jill! Returned American—Haven’t you room for another one, Joe? Your “plus 4’s” are bigger than mine—I’m afraid I'll clink when I walk down the gang plank. Tue Dairy Dozen Or two— I wish I was through! Three, four— My muscles are sore! Five, six— Who invented these tricks? Seven, eight— Exercises I hate! Nine, ten— Never again! Eleven, twelve— 'x? A Hemortist’s Tuirst Joke! comicbooks.com