Captain Billy's Whiz Bang, April 1923 · page 40 of 68
Captain Billy's Whiz Bang #44 — page 40: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page from the satirical magazine collects brief humorous anecdotes and quips targeting marriage and courtship—common topics in 1920s humor. The opening joke mocks a wealthy man's presumption: a recovering patient proposes to his young nurse, only to learn he'd face divorce complications with his current wife. The humor relies on his obliviousness and desperation. Subsequent jokes use wordplay and double meanings: a woman accepts the "Deacon" because she's lonely; gym-goers play on "bang" and "bust" as both kissing locations and violent strikes. Another quip references a domestic dispute ending in gunfire (played for laughs). The final jokes employ crude metaphors: one about a fat man requiring a "concave partner" for dancing (a body-shape insult), and cryptic observations about hidden poverty beneath fine clothing. Overall, the page reflects working-class, cynical humor about marriage as burdensome, women as transactional, and physical appearance as mockery-worthy—typical of the era's satirical publications.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
40 Captain Billy's Whiz Bang We Can't Think of Heading for This The rich merchant had been very ill; and, as he got better, he cast the eye of gladness upon the attractive young nurse who had been so kind and good during the crisis. “Nurse,” he said suddenly one morning, “will you marry me?” The girl’s only reply was a peal of silvery laughter. “You needn’t laugh,” said the patient, sav- agely. “You don’t know what a h— of a job I shall have to get my wife to divorce me.” * * * Recently in Minneapolis Deacon Callahan stepped up to a lonesome lady in the hotel lobby and inquired, “Are you looking for a particular person?” “I’m satisfied,” she said, “if you are.” * * * Overheard in a Gym “May I kiss you on the forehead?” “Not unless you want a bang in the mouth.” “Well than may I kiss you on the chin?” “Not unless you want a bust on the jaw.” * * * “If marriage is the cemetery of love, I’m surely booked for a funeral next week,” said Patsy O’Houlahan as her old man chased him with a shotgun. * * * It is better to be the head of an ass than the tail of a horse. * * * Many a coat that is long and wide May hide a patch of pants inside. * * * The fat man said he liked to dance but he required a concave partner.