Life — January 13, 1927 — page 12: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# "To Save Money in Aberdeen, Scotland, the Natives Walk the First Quarter-Mile and Ride the Second" This is a humorous cartoon satirizing Scottish frugality, specifically targeting residents of Aberdeen. The joke plays on the stereotype of Scots being extremely thrifty or miserly. The illustration shows a street scene where locals practice an economical transportation method: they walk the initial quarter-mile of a journey, then ride in vehicles (appearing to be shared taxis or buses) for the remaining distance. This absurd compromise—splitting short trips between walking and riding—is presented as a typical money-saving strategy among Aberdonians. The cartoon relies on period ethnic/regional stereotyping common in early 20th-century American humor magazines, mocking Scottish cultural attitudes toward spending.