The Wasp — 1896 — page 99: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This comic strip depicts a humorous misunderstanding about a "lost" item. A man sweeping encounters what appears to be a wasp on the ground. When asked "Lost somethin', boss?" he responds affirmatively. The situation escalates as multiple men join in searching the street, assuming something valuable was lost. The joke's punchline reveals the absurdity: the man was only looking for a wasp he'd thrown a stone at for his dog to fetch. The escalating crowd reaction—from two men to many—satirizes how rumors and misunderstandings spread through society, with people joining a search without understanding what they're actually seeking. The title "Wasp" likely refers both to the insect and *The Wasp* magazine itself, creating a self-referential joke typical of period satirical publications.