Captain Billy's Whiz Bang, July 1922 · page 53 of 67
Captain Billy's Whiz Bang #35 — page 53: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page from *Captain Billy's Whiz Bang* (a 1920s satirical magazine) contains multiple brief jokes reflecting Prohibition-era concerns and social anxieties: **"See America First"** mocks travel boosterism while referencing alcohol's hallucinogenic effects—a common concern during Prohibition. **"Washington News Note"** is political satire predicting Congressional turnover, likely referencing upcoming elections and political instability of the period. **The Indian joke** plays on outdated racial stereotypes while making a crude economic comparison—"bucks" as currency puns on both dollars and Native American trade. **"See the Pint?"** satirizes bootleggers during Prohibition, suggesting illegally-produced alcohol contained dangerous substances (fish hooks representing contamination/harm). **The factory owners' craps game** uses gambling terminology ("shoot," "piker," "works") as double entendre for reckless betting during economically volatile times. Throughout, the humor reflects Prohibition anxieties, economic instability, and casual prejudices typical of 1920s American popular culture.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
52 Captain Billy's Whiz Bang See America First A traveler just returned says it's a great life in foreign countries. He got gypped in Egypt, panned in Japan, germs in Germany, mad in Madagascar, and drunk on port in Portugal. * * * If a man takes a few drinks now-a-days, he sees animals. A fellow took three drinks and right away he wanted to sell me an elephant for five hundred and fifty. I took two drinks and bought it. * * * Washington News Note Prosperous days are predicted for surgeons next fall. Many men now in Congress are to lose their seats after the November elections. * * * First Indian—I just bought a wife for six deerskins. Second Indian—Mine only cost five bucks. * * * See the "Pint"? "I'm hip to that guy," cried the bootlegger, as he poured a glass full of fish hooks. * * * Two factory owners were shooting craps. "I'll shoot you my gas house," said the first. "I'm no piker," said the other, "I'll shoot the whole works."