Life, 1921-11-17 · page 22 of 34
Life — November 17, 1921 — page 22: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page presents a satirical dialogue in exaggerated working-class dialect, capturing early 20th-century urban slang and social attitudes. The text depicts two young women gossiping about relationships and dating, using period-specific language ("goldigger," "sweetie," "dough"). The humor centers on the repeated refrain that a boyfriend won't call the narrator a "goldigger" (a woman pursuing men for money)—despite her apparent willingness to manipulate or abandon relationships casually. The satire mocks both the women's materialistic attitudes and their defensive posturing about moral propriety. The accompanying illustration shows people dining together in what appears to be a ship's cabin. The caption below features "The Captain" dismissing spiritualism as impossible—likely social commentary on period fads. The overall piece satirizes modern urban social behavior, particularly young women's dating practices and the tension between expressed values and actual conduct.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
On Meeting an Acquaintance “ ELL—fathaluvvamike, Mae!” Wattayou doin’ here?” “Oh, Idunno; wattayou doia’?” “Same thing syou, I betcha. Ha-ha!” “Ho-ho !” “Say, Mae, howsya sweetie?” “Say, lissen, Peg—himmin me sfin- ished.” “Smatter — youanim avvarow — did- ja?” “You seddit. myshack an heyaint.” “Ooh, gee! fresh thing!” “Fresh sright. All I askim howde lika blowme tapaira satin kicks.” “Whadee say?” Heyaint gonna cumma call me no goldigger, Dee callya one? Ohtha “Hesez, ‘Kid,’ hesez, ‘yasome gol- digger. Chevva thinka takinacure fatha gimmies?’” “Fatha luvvamike! Whatju do?” “Say, lissen. I gossomad, I tookis coatanhat ri toffena rack an hannem toum. Heyaint gonna call me no gol- digger... .” “Ooh gee, wuzzee sore?” “Tl sayeewuz.” “Ooh Mae, whadee do?” “Eejus grabsislid an beatsitoff. Iyaint scenim since. Butee yaint gonna call me no goldigger. . . .” “Gooddriddance—hunh, kid?” “Oh, Idunno. Hewuz kina cute. T guessafeel kina blue aboutit. Butec yaint gonna call me no goldigger. . . .” “Acourse heyaint. Say, ainat Harry- anjoe downa block?” . “Where? Oh yeah, surets He joe. Yoo-hoo, Harryanjoe! Yoo-t “Say, Peg, les makem blowusa sodan- an takeusup onna bus.” “You seddit. Common, doncha givya rap fya sweetie, Mae.” “Well, heyaint gonna call me no gol- digger. Iyaint no goldig; “Acourse youwaint. » dya wecaget Harryanjoe tatakeusa dinner?” “Sure! Leaveittamekid.’ “Say, Pee. igs.” “Wattizit, deerie?” “Chu be sorefa digger?” Henry William Hanemani guy callja The Captain (discussing Spiritism): Take it from me, Chief, this here table-tippin’ stuff’s all b » It can’t be done! comicbooks.com