Life, 1923-02-22 · page 23 of 36
Life — February 22, 1923 — page 23: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page presents household humor targeting women's domestic labor. The left cartoon mocks a man borrowing an umbrella while his companion holds one—the caption "Not much; that's how I got it" suggests he obtained his through similar manipulation rather than purchase. The numbered items (7-12) comprise a "Housekeeper's Daily Dozen"—exercises disguised as household chores. Each task (vegetable prep, laundry, ironing, marketing, mending, answering phones) is presented ironically as beneficial exercise, with matching tune titles. The satire critiques how housework was simultaneously devalued as "not real work" while being physically exhausting. The right section mocks political rhetoric about George Washington. Different orators—Old Republican, New Republican, Democrat, Wet (anti-Prohibition), and Dry (pro-Prohibition)—each claim Washington supports their contradictory positions. Washington's "shade" observes this annual politicization with weary resignation, satirizing how historical figures are manipulated to justify contemporary partisan agendas.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“Lend me your umbrella for a few minutes.” 7. PREPARING THE VEGETABLES. ne: “The Flowers That Bloom in the Spring.” Unsurpassed as a finger exercise. (uaranteed to spoil the best manicure ever, and to roughen the skin. 8 Wasninc Ctotnes. Tune: th, I Have Sighed to Rest Me!” The best exercise ever invented to make the back ache. Wili cause a generous perspiration which cleans out the pores of the skin, and nders the use of cosmetics unnec- sary. 9. IRoninc. Tune: ing Awa’, Jean.” Splendid for “that tired feeling ross the shoulders,” and wonder- il for fallen arches. “l'm Wear- 10. Marketinc. Tune: “It’s a i ong Way to Tipperary.” This exercise can easily be neg- lected by an injudicious use of the t lephone. The only sure way of get- tng results is to carry a bulging 40- pound basket, or string bag, 14 blocks irom the nearest “free market.” “Not much; that’s how I got it.” 11, Menpinc. Tune: Holy, Holy.” It is wise to have at least one good relaxing exercise, one which can be taken sitting down. It has a calming effect upon the mind to figure out how much it will cost to replace the garments absolutely too far gone to be mended any more. 12. ANSWERING DoorBELL AND TELEPHONE. Tune: “Curfew Shall Not Ring To-night.” This pleasant little exercise is one which can be repeated a hundred times a day, and will increase irri- tation until it becomes a complex, especially when Central says, sweet- ly, ““Wrongnumberscusutplease !” “Holy All mention of COOKING has been purposely left out of this set of the Housekeeper’s Daily Dozen, as it is not an exercise, but an ART. It is suggested that along about 10:30 or 11 p. M., the following rec- ord be used by which to undress— Tune: “Now the Day Is Over.” 2..E.P. George Was a Great Man! LD Line Republican Orator: George Washington! Preserv- er of our nation from foreign en- tanglements ! New Line Republican Orator: George Washington! How he must regret the isolation of the nation he founded ! Democratic Orator : George Wash- ington! How he must long to see a return of those great Demo- cratic policies of his! Wet Orator: George Washing- ton! The great apostle of personal liberty ! Dry Orator: George Washing- ton! We have made the country as he would have had it! *** Shade of G. Washington: And just to think I used to enjoy this annual event! McC. H. Wuat makes a barber think he can mind two businesses at once? comicbooks.com