Life, 1920-07-15 · page 23 of 40
Life — July 15, 1920 — page 23: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains multiple satirical pieces typical of Life's humor: **"The Cup Defender" cartoon** shows a yacht laden with absurdly labeled sections ("Boosters' Shoes," "Dress Shirts," "Mint-O-Pep for Dyspepsia," etc.), satirizing how advertisers would outfit luxury vessels if given free rein. It mocks commercialism's encroachment into every aspect of life. **"Yachting Terms Defined"** humorously redefines nautical terminology—"Waterline" becomes an imaginary line drawn before January 16, 1920 (likely referencing Prohibition's start), "Glass" is a device for focusing a yachtsman's attention (implying drinking), and "Tumble home" refers to yachts and yachtsmen's "fast ways." The satire targets wealthy yacht club culture and moral looseness. **"After the Yacht Struck the Rocks"** depicts two swimmers discussing an ex-merchant marine pilot hired as captain, with his wife's jealousy implied as the real danger—satirizing spousal suspicion and incompetent hiring practices. The pieces collectively mock upper-class leisure pursuits, commercialism, and social pretension.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
bers in my mouth is difficult, but it doesn’t make any difference if some of the mud comes off on the side of the bed- spread. In fact, it all helps in the final effect. I usually try to smear them around when I get them at last on the spread, and if I can leave one of them on the pillow, I feel that it's a pretty fine little old world, after all. This done, and I am off.” And Georgie vog suddenly disappeared in official pursuit of an automobile going eighty-five miles an hour. now,” said Mother Nature to her little pupils, “we have heard all about Georgie Dog’s work. To-morrow we may listen to Lillian Mosquito tell how she makes her voice carry across a room.” Robert C. Benchley. Yachting Terms Defined WY ATERE! NE—An_ imaginary — line drawn by yachtsmen prior to Jan- uary 16, 1920. Tumble home—A characteristic of cer- tain yachts and yachtsmen noted for their fast ways. Sea legs—Sec legs. Legs—See sea legs. ‘ THE CUP DEFENDER Bells — Recording instruments which IF OUR ADVERTISERS HAD FREE REIN tell time even when yachtsmen are unable to tell it. . . OTEL CLERK: I am sorry, miss, TRAWBER Engaged!) Why, I Knot—That by which speed is meas but, according to state laws, you will thought she turned you down once. ured or into which ropes and challengers’ jaye to register your home address. Stncerty: She did, but that was be- aspirations are tied. . “I haven't any home; I live in New fore she knew that all of her people were Glass—A device for focussing a yachts- yor,” bide ork.’ against me. man's attention. It may be raised either to the eye or the lips. Focussle—That part of the ship in which the glass is focussed. Bar—A stratum of sand or mahogany over which water has difficulty in flowing. Abeam—Expression noted on face of yachtsman after raising a glass or lower- ing a record. Sunday Morning LL is quict and peaceful. The sunshine, a calm benediction, Falls alike on the proud And the humble. A faint breeze stirs the leaves of the maples. The busy bees buzz in the clover. From afar comes the sound of a church bell. I think T will crank up the flivver And motor out to the golf club. Stanley G. Taggard. ‘D° you know Quaverly?” APTER THE YACHT STRUCK THE ROCKS “THERE, HENRY WHORTER, DIDN'T I TELL YOU THAT EX-MERCHANT MARINE OFFICER YOU ENGAGED AS PILOT MIGHT FORGET AND TRY TO RAM EVERY SUSPICIOUS-LOOKING opject HE saw!” “Not at all; I’ve only met him when he was with his wife.” comicbooks.com