Captain Billy's Whiz Bang, July 1921 · page 18 of 68
Captain Billy's Whiz Bang #22 — page 18: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This appears to be a humorous advice column mocking both high-society etiquette and the "Jazz Age" social trends of the 1920s. The "shimmy" was a provocative dance that scandalized traditional society, and the joke compares proper execution to "a bowl of jello in an earthquake"—suggesting refined restraint even while doing something considered vulgar. The satire targets uptight social conventions (don't crack jokes about dresses, keep quiet at dinner) while simultaneously mocking nouveau riche or working-class readers attempting to navigate elite social situations. The final advice—"politely decline" a girl's invitation but "give me her address"—is deliberately crude male humor. The finger bowl and soup ladle questions poke fun at confusing formal dining rules. Overall, the column satirizes both stuffy upper-class propriety and the humorous awkwardness of ordinary people trying to fit in.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
16 Captain Billy's Whiz Bang Is the "shimmy" done in the best society? Yes. How? Like a bowl of jello in an earthquake. Should one try to dance if they do not know the steps? No, that would brand you as a hop, less vulgarian. Should one crack jokes about the ladies' gowns? No, your conversation should not be confined to trivialities. If a girl asks you in when you escort her home from the ball at 3 a. m., should you accept her invita- tion? Politely decline, and give me her address. Every dinner should begin with a little soup and less noise. Should the lady of the house help the soup? Yes, if it needs it. What would you do if you made a wine stain on a lady's dress? Help her to remove it, the stain. Should you decline wine by clapping your hand on top of your glass? I wouldn't. Should water be taken directly from a finger bowl? No, a soup ladle is placed at each plate for this purpose. Etiquette is used in many other ways, but these few simple-minded rules will get you out of some of the worst places.