Life, 1920-11-18 · page 34 of 44
Life — November 18, 1920 — page 34: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page from *Life* magazine (early 20th century) collects brief humorous anecdotes and jokes reflecting contemporary social observations: **"Spellbound"** mocks British pronunciation inconsistencies—a young man from "Brolmondeley" questions why English words aren't pronounced as spelled. **"The Society Way"** satirizes social climbing: a nouveau-riche woman claims repeated introductions to high society, implying either social amnesia or pretentious exaggeration. **"Which Way Did She Mean It?"** uses servant-employer wordplay: when a maid says she won't "do too much" for her employer, ambiguity creates humor about her true intentions. **"In the Zoo"** gently mocks parental exhaustion and evasion—a father, worn from constant questioning, gives a non-answer about the llama's purpose. **"True Philosophy"** presents contrasting worldviews: while one character despairs about life, another finds silver lining in the absurd notion that suffering would be worthwhile if compensated. The page primarily features **humorous social commentary** on class interactions, language, and domestic situations—typical of *Life's* satirical approach to American life.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
926 OUR_ O OLIS CONTEMFO ARIES BOG Spellbound There was a young fellow named Cholmon- deley, Who lived in a place yclept Brolmondeley. He said that each word, ‘As procounced,, was. abeurd “Why not say it as spelt?" he asked glol- mondeley.—Sketch (London). The Society Way Mrs. Payton: Have you ever been in- ced to Mrs. Blueblood? Mars. Parvexu: Oh, a number of times! —Boston Transcript. Pink Ta in the Yellow Box" “A man just said, he would not think of leaving home without a package of Lane's Cold Tablets in his bag, and every one who has used these tablets speaks just as highly of them.” Le Roy, N. Y. OF BRAINS — IGARS “MADE AT KEY wesTt— Girls! Girls Clear Your Skin With Cuticura Sample cach (Scan, ry sea Talcen) of Outieure FOR MEN Laboratories,Dept. 7, 2o @ methen To that a n en ee Which Way Did She Mean It? Mrs, Bliffkins met Mary Smith, whom she had recémmended to a neighbor for a situa- tion, “How are you getting on at your new place?” asked Mrs. Bliffkins. “ Very well, thank you,” was the reply. “Tam glad to hear it,” remarked Mrs. liffkins, “Your employer is a very nice lady, and you cannot do too much for her.” “T don't mean to, ma’am,” replied Mary. —Answers (London). In the Zoo The man who stood next to us with his small son outside the Iama’s cage was hav- ing much difficulty. He was being beset with the inquiry, “What does the Mama do?" He acted like a man who had been in the Zoo a good many hours. for there was weariness in his voice when he replied “Oh, I guess he just sort of hangs around.” —Heywood Broun, in New York Tribune. True Philosophy “This is a rotten world,” Gloomy Gus. “Oh, I dunno,” yawned Weary Willie, as he stretched himself at full length in the grateful shade of a tree. “If this was only work and we got paid for doin’ it, it wouldn't be so bad.” —American Legion Week mourned Brown: That new cook of ours makes everything out of the cook-book Dersy: Then that must have been one of the covers I tasted in the pie last night. —Cornell Widow, How Democracy has improved! Abraham Lincoln was able to borrow only a paltry billion on it, in 1860-4, but it is in soak now for twenty-five times as much. —E. W. Howe's Monthly. \ yorvel Tooth Brush a the 9 | Every pair garden MADE AT SHIRLEY MASSACHUSETT Kaovieds ea Vout M asband Steuid Kaveletg eat athe Sh ealeBave. Should bnpurtteBs Sa stand SbealdEae, Bare. Lat at nt cae, Alligesevelame, ter Shelia Br Bg teraye S225 pectp'e Medica havvledge a Wit eShoeld Have. Write ter~-Other Peopis’s Optatons*ant Tabi ef Contents Division 20 Cascago, I by correspondence. Begin: The Muinersity of Geese recent. J ay Sta Comparative Values Aetist: This is a fine picture, the bet in my exhibition, but you can have it for half the catalogue price. Friexp: What does the catalogue coil —Kasper (Stockholm). A corporat in the 339th United Stat Infantry has just received official notiet that he is dead. Once in a great, gre! while, these days, a letter gets in ahead time.—Detroit News. comicbooks.com