Judge, 1928-08-18 · page 12 of 36
Judge — August 18, 1928 — page 12: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Judge Magazine Satire Explanation This page satirizes **husbands who misunderstand their wives' indirect requests**—a common domestic comedy theme of the era. The "Guide for Literal-Minded Husbands" mocks men who take women's statements at face value rather than recognizing hidden meanings. The three dialogue examples show wives using euphemistic language: - "You need fresh air" really means "I want a sports car" - "Get a nice suit" really means "I want to shop for dresses myself" - "I'm very busy" really means "Let's go out to dinner" The cartoons illustrate these scenarios with exaggerated situations—a wife dusting while a child blows smoke rings, and a chaotic beach/leisure scene. The final caption about the "Philosophical Transatlantic Flyer" appears unrelated. The satire targets men's supposed obtuseness about female communication styles, a standard domestic humor trope reflecting gender dynamics of the early 20th century. The joke assumes readers recognize wives' indirect requests as a universal marital reality.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
JUDGE Guide for Literal-Minded Husbands The remarks: ‘*You know, Jobn, [ sometimes think that you n't get enough fresh air, I y do. You look somewhat and I feel that good pure ozone would pep ua oright up. Just think how ich benefit. you'd get from a ride evenings nice auton ifter dinner. just dying for a nice sport road- ster that I can use for shopping and running around in the after- 1. Practically all of the oth ladies in Verdant Gardens 1 car, and [ don’t see why I can't get one too.” he remarks: “I want you to get a nice new suit of clothes, omething dressy that you can nings as well as to busi- ow I'm going to call for you Saturday at noon and we'll er to Johnamaker’s and sure- ly select one. Maybe while we're there, I'll just drop in for a mo- ment and see what they're show- ing in summer dresses.” Trans- wear ev go lation: “There's a special sale of dresses at Johnam: summe Saturday and I'm t next S ily. in need of a light frock to wear to the be So I'm going to take you along, and when you sce how lovely I look in a new dress, you'll just insist on my buying one.” The remarks: “Now run along, dearest, and have a pleasant in town. Thank you, dear. Yes, I'm going to be very busy myself. I have an appointment with the manicurist at eleven, Then I'm lunching at the Country Club, At four Mrs. Blake is introducing that young poct from Ch and at five [ must stop in and pay a condolence call at the Ram- sey's. I know I'll be just dead by evening. Yes, it’s very tir- Translation: “Let's have dinner out tonight!" —Artucr L. Lirreaaxn Observation Though this life has its quota of Calm analysis clearly reveals That the man who is up on his toes Very seldom is down at the heels! Translation: “Um =~ ren-—Say, go easier with that duster, Mother—I'm trying to blow smoke rings, Boring is getting so refined we foresee its evolution into some thing purely scientific—touch the heart and win. Puttosopiicat Transattantic Fiver—Oh well, I'd a’ looked like hell in Ambassador Herrick’s pajamas anyway. comicbooks.com