Life, 1927-09-22 · page 8 of 40
Life — September 22, 1927 — page 8: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes workplace dynamics through a sketch titled "Her First Slip." The illustration shows a young woman at a desk with a telephone, apparently a secretary or office worker, while an older man (labeled "The Speaker of the House") observes nearby. The accompanying dialogue presents the woman's rambling, gossipy phone conversation—mentioning mail, fashion, and personal matters—while the man waits impatiently. The humor targets both the stereotype of chatty female office workers and the frustration of supervisors dealing with their personal calls during work hours. The "Dissatisfied Customers" section below offers brief joke exchanges about a disappointing boxing match, unrelated to the main cartoon. The overall satire reflects 1920s-era workplace and gender stereotypes.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
bh OOD worning, Mr. Samson, lots of mail this morning! Why, Mr. Samson! You've got on a new lion-skin! Oh, IT think it’s larvely! It fits you wonderful! You've got such broad shoulders, 1 suppose you're easy to fit. So many men are getting these leopard-skin things now, but I think they're awful Mr. Jephthah’s got one of those hyenas, but I like this much better....So dinnified — and rich-lookun’. Oh, Mr. Samson, I saw one of our posters for the Phil- istine Phizz Company last night and it looked larrely! LT just saz it as we drove by....Oh, Mr. Samson, aren't you azful! 1 did not! I just went for a short chariot ride with che’s. gota new Eph- raimite Six....Oh, I think you're terrible, the things you say!...You must think me a naiwful character j indeed, Mr. Samson! you ] must!...Oh, [ just noticed some- thing... You won't be offended, will you, if I tell you that your lion-skin is just the least li'l bit crooked across the shoulders? Oh, you're making it worse! Aren't you men just help less!...Here, let me... Now | Mr. Samson, I can’t fix it if Why, Mister Samson! What ¢ loud, don’t you? my cousin The Speaker of the House Samson and Delilah mean I did not sit down in your lap I never I tell you!!! Why. ..why. Of all the ow, Mr. Samson, you let go of me this min- ute! It recly isn’t right....Why, if Mr. Zoab nybody came in now and found me in your lap I'd be so mortiied....1 think you're just as mean as you can bei...Very well, you won't bi man....You must be awful strong though.... I’m awful tired this morn- neree.. then, since a gentle- HER FIRST SLIP Jot Aacd fr ing....Ho-hum....Oh, you've — got the funniest ittle curl right behind You need a haircut ter ribly though, Mr. Samson. ...Hm? ..We-e-ell, Sammy, then....Oh, I couldn't, I never went out to supper with my employer in my life. I simply couldn't, Mr. Samson It's against my ideals Wi Perhaps...1 tell you, [ll morrow if you'll get’ a haircut... No, I won't go if you don't....1 always like my genlemen friends to look nice Oh, I didn’t mean that ... It’s just your hair reely does need cutting. ..Oh, there’s your tele- your ear. phone . you mustn't let it ring. ++-Mr. Jephthah saw me come in and he'll. ..well, PI answer it then, Big Stubborn Mans!. “Mr. nson’s secretary spe: ing. Yes, he’s in his office, very busy just now. ..could all again?” Heman Fay, Jr. but he's reel} you Dissatisfied Customers IRST FIGHT FAN: That was the worst fight I ever saw. Seconp Figur Fax: You said it I wouldn't be surprised if it was on the level. comicbooks.com' * / j | a il 0