Life, 1916-11-16 · page 6 of 46
Life — November 16, 1916 — page 6: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains two satirical pieces from Life magazine: **"Song of the Coupon-Clipper"** (left): Clement Wood's poem mocks wealthy idle men who live off investment dividends ("coupon-clipping") rather than working. The speaker boasts of his leisured plutocratic lifestyle while his wife attends social functions and his lawyer handles business—yet he complains of exhaustion from this effortless existence. The satire targets the perceived laziness and entitlement of the leisure class. **"A Word for an Abused Man"** (right): This piece advocates for changing terms of parental address from "Papa" to "Daddy," arguing fathers deserve equal dignity with mothers (who gained "Mother" as an upgrade from "Mama"). The accompanying photo shows what appears to be a domestic scene. The satire addresses gender equality in family terminology and paternal recognition. Both pieces critique social conventions of their era.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
.CCOUNTS IT 18 EXPECTED THAT THE OLDER SET WILL BE QUITE GAY THIS WINTER Song of the Coupon-Clipper "M a gentlemanly plutocratic loafer, I'm the pampered darling of Societe; And so well I love my neighbor, that I let the rascal labor Just as long as he is able to—for me. All my work is done by valet, butler, chauffeur, Chef and housemaid, clerk—the whole unmonied league; But I sweat until I'm dripping at this blasted coupon- clipping ; Why, it simply overcomes me with fatigue! I'm a gentlemanly plutocratic loafer, And I shouldn't ought to have to use my brains; I can stay at cards and drinking while my neighbor does the thinking How to diligently multiply my gains. Let him burrow in the figures like a gopher, Let him carry on each bus-i-ness intrigue ; Mine the weary lot of snipping dividends, and coupon- clipping, And the paralyzing burden of fatigue. I'm a gentlemanly plutocratic loafer, Quite a multi-million-trillion-billionaire ; While my wife attends the functions, and my lawyer draws injunctions I am seeking an existence free from care. But, alas, the gold of Ormus, Ind, and Ophir Must be gathered, through each moneyless colleague ; So my shears I will be gripping for my endless coupon- clipping ; I must meekly bear my burden of fatigue. Clement Wood. Society Notes. A Word for an Abused Man Is it not time Father had a square deal? Years ago—not so many—our children spoke to and of us as “Papa” or “Mama"—as the case and gender might be—now we have dignified “ Mama” into “ Mother,” but poor “ Papa” is robbed of even that small dignity, he’s just—" Daddy.” “ARE YOU THE NEW GOVERNESS?” “ NONSENSE, CHILD! 1'M youR MOTHER!"