Captain Billy's Whiz Bang, October 1921 · page 62 of 68
Captain Billy's Whiz Bang #25 — page 62: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains four brief satirical pieces typical of 1920s humor magazine content: **"U're Right, Professorette"** mocks male behavior through a misogynistic "wise woman's" observations—men are foolish in pursuit, war, and romance. The satire targets conventional masculine behavior. **Prohibition joke** contrasts pre-Prohibition tourism slogans with post-1920 reality: Americans now travel abroad to drink alcohol illegally, while domestic "thirst" (caused by Prohibition) drives the country's desperation. This satirizes Prohibition's failure and hypocrisy. **Restaurant joke** plays on typographical errors as menu items—a simple pun about restaurant mistakes. **"A Sad Story"** uses ethnic caricature (Ikey = Jewish, Pat = Irish stereotypes) for dark wartime humor. A priest offers last rites to both; when he asks the Jewish soldier theological questions, the dying man groans that he's being asked "riddles" at death. The humor derives from perceived Jewish-Christian cultural difference and the absurdity of religious conversion attempts during combat. The content reflects 1920s attitudes: Prohibition satire, casual ethnic stereotyping, and irreverent wartime humor.
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Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
60 Captain Billy's Whiz Bang U're Right, Professorette A wise woman once said there are three follies of men. The first is climbing trees to shake down the fruit, when if they would wait long enough the fruit would fall of its own weight; the second is going to war to kill each other, when, if they only waited, they would die naturally, and the third, that they run after women when, if they would not do so, women would be sure to run after them. * * * Before Prohibition: “See your own country first.” After: Visit foreign lands and see your own country’s thirst.” * * * Customer—“Bring me a Typographical Er-ror.” Waiter (returning from kitchen)—“Sorry, we have none.” Customer—“Well, here it is on the menu.” * * * A Sad Story Ikey and Pat were wounded in an engage-ment in the Argonne. A priest making the rounds found them. After giving the Irishman the last rites he then went over to Ikey and asked, “Do you believe in the Father, Son and Holy Ghost?” Ikey groaned and rolled over. “Oi, Oi! Here I am dying and you ask me riddles.”