Humorous Flashes and Quick Wit Snippets
A collection of humorous vignettes and quips with punchy one liners. Jokes cover weathered topics from food and fashion to crime and aviation, reflecting a playful slice of early 20th century humor.
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This newspaper page contains 33 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
Greencastle Herald
Location
Greencastle, Indiana, United States of America
Date
Oct 09, 1919
Page
4
Can You Tell Me What Are the Yellow Races
A Baltimore American quip notes the phrase about yellow races as a jab at crooked jockeys. The item reflects period sports slang and editorial tone.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Baltimore American
Quick Wit Across Papers Yet Aired
A collage of joke lines from various papers showcases sharp banter on domestic life, shopping, inventions, and society. The snippets hint at humor about substitutes, vows, readings, discounts, and stock, with playful wordplay and social mime.
Fat Ones Test Hatsamoeck in Conversation
In a brisk exchange, one speaker teases the other about a stout son’s activity. The reply notes the son is employed as a hatsamoeck tester, a curious occupation referenced in the dialogue.
Beggar receives more than a dime in charity
A man questions giving a beggar a dollar prompting a reply that a dime would not suffice. The exchange highlights the beggar’s hunger and the speaker’s insistence that a dollar supports a meal and coffee. The dialogue underscores modest charity in a simple moral moment.
The Modern Family Doctors Eye and Health Specialists Featured
A family discusses their current doctors and specialists. Mother visits an eye specialist, father a stomach expert, sister a throat specialist, brother receives care from a lung specialist, and the narrator undergoes osteopathy.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Johson
Visitors Sing Favorite Mother Songs at Neighbor’s Parlor
Mr. Smith visits neighbors Mr. Jones and his children, hearing and joining in a piano and vocal session centered on songs about mothers. Mr. Jones notes his wife is well, busy in the kitchen and wood pile, then will join after chores. Judge.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Mr. Jones
Mr. Smith
Man Seeks Glasses but Never Learned to Read
An elderly man at an eye hospital test reads a distant placard but confesses he never learned to read. The doctor pressures him to move closer, yet the man remains unable to read the card, highlighting a lifelong literacy gap.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Eye
Weill
Aaid
Peace Table Oration At Old Fellows Hall
Reverend Josiah Dobson presided over a literary society meeting in Old Fellows Hall where Hon. James Bolivar McHenry spoke on The Peace Table. The audience listened intently as he urged reflection on the nation’s needs as it faces the Pacific and democracy in the Orient. A jeering aside from a local heckler interrupted the discourse.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Literary Society
Old Fellows’ Hall
Josiah Dobson
James Bolivar McHenry
Ijelaing County
Pacific
Orient
To Abolish Tomorrow Movement Emerges
A reform note argues tomorrow harms humanity by deferring action and causing dread. It claims avoiding tomorrow strengthens resolve and urges living in the present rather than dwelling on future outcomes.
Can Openers Impress Indianapolis Hosts
A Muncie youth visiting Indianapolis last month dined at several stall homes and boasted of fine meats. Two young women teased that if they could not match his stories they could prove their skills as can openers.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Muncie
Indianapolis
Not Definite Enough Eggs Mystery in East Side Grocery
The most particular town woman tested fresh eggs at an east side grocery asking when they were laid. The grocer said they came from the country that morning but she pressed for a definite date before buying. The humorous exchange appeared in the Indianapolis News.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
East Side
Indianapolis News
Reading in a French Book During A Rainy Library Visit
Robert visited the library on a rainy day and picked a French book. He insists he can read it because the pictures are in English.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Robert
Chicago Tribune
A Cure for the fil First Office Boy
Two office boys exchange quips about a boss and a joke about needing a bar of soap after dark circles under the eyes. The brief panel reflects humorous newsroom style from the Philadelphia North American.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Philadelphia
Origin of Jury System Attributed to European Peoples
The exact origin of the jury system is uncertain with claims tied to various European peoples. The Norman era introduced recognitors chosen by knights and sworn to inspect interests, especially taxation, with Henry II and later kings shaping verdicts. By Henry IV the jury judged evident facts, culminating in the modern function.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
England
Curia Regis
King’s Court
Henry II
Kansas City Star
It Is to Laugh Interesting Jem
This humorous dialogue targets a club with weak grasp of international news. A Rome restaurant charges 318 a bottle for champagne, provoking a mix of skepticism and grim humor about future prices. A hopeful remark about cheaper food is countered by a darker outlook on relative costs.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Jem
Clubleigh
Italy
Restaurateurs
Rome
Lok
Who's Afraid and Debt Dreams in Silly Exchange
A New York Tribune clip shows a mock dialogue about fear and debt. A returned soldier jokes about mobilization as a joke on preoccupying duties and meals influence dreams of bankruptcy.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
New York Tribune
United States Leads World in Ship Production
The United States shipping board reports steamships under the American flag now total 248 percent of world steam tonnage. It credits large increases in ship workers, yards, and vessels under construction, noting 1,280 ocean going steamships with 1,107 built in the last two years and only 15 vessels of 1,000 tons plus overseas before the war.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
United States Shipping Board
Victory Death of Disgrace in Women Sports Debate
A commentary argues that dismissing women’s athletic wins as deceitful or disgraceful undermines progress in golf tennis shooting and other championships. It notes the long odds women face and suggests equality may be achieved only after years of competition.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Stone
Marriage Insurance Scheme Promises $2500 Payout
England experiments a marriage insurance plan to aid families. If the husband dies a $2500 payout is made, or after 25 years the same sum is paid if he is alive. The policy aims to stimulate marriage and provide financial security for dependents.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
England
Not Waire’s Fault as Holidayers Mistake Tea
Mr Brown and Mr Green abroad on holiday in France visit a cafe. Green, self taught in French, orders and then complains when tea set lacks a teaspoon. Brown points out the language gap with a sharp quip about misusing French words.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Mr. Brown
Mr. Green
France
Green
Brown
London
Influenza Transmission By Kiss Question Stirs Talk
A spinster recalls a man with influenza who kissed her two months prior, asking if kissing can transmit the illness. The brusque doctor notes the exposure is too late for harm, while the woman confesses she enjoys discussing the topic.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Philadelphia Ledger
Society Editor Question Sparks Fresh Inquiry
A grey haired stranger challenges a society editor over a wedding reception article. He objects to a line about his daughter and wealth, accusing the writer of hinting the father built his fortune by selling brooms. The editor denies the insinuation and the exchange ends.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Society
Some Scholar Smith and Sam Trade School Tales
In a playful exchange, Smith questions Sam about school while Sam recalls learning at the academy. Sam mentions names like George Gravey and Matthew Mattix and confuses math with dana and gymnastics with gym nasties, ending with a joke about spelling mud.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Smith
Sam
Academy
George Gravey
Dana Sam
Matthew Mattix
Jimmy
Not a Strong Drink at Birthday Party
Aline and her brother attend a birthday party for a playmate. Ice cream cake and lemonade are served. The boy asks for water. Aline insists he drink lemonade despite his plea for water. The incident appears in a brief, quippy newspaper vignette.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Aline
Philadelphia Inquirer
Ad Yet to Be Australia? No, Wrong. Courier-Journal Quips
The Louisville Courier-Journal quips about a lost necklace worth 10000 dollars and a reward offer with a joke about a wife’s ability to fulfill a contract. The light tone highlights a domestic comedy of errors.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Louisville Courier-Journal
Poor Jip Dog Quips About Tail After Chop
A humorous note recalls Bob's fox terrier Jip who, after his tail was shortened, chased his tail unable to catch it. Bob laments that if the tail had remained he would have been able to catch it, a playful line about the planned but ruined tail.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Bob
Jip
Madame La Mode Viewed as Perfect Style Model
A contemporary critique questions Madame La Mode department for young girls dresses calling it a perfect model of style. The remark ponders whether the term nerve fits a miss ft establishment merit.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Madame la Mode
Snappy Paragraphs On Love Wisdom And Foolishness
A curated string of maxims on love trust and human folly. Witty observations cover marriage aging courage and social quirks with humor and caution. Notable lines reference widowhood village life and everyday interactions in a retro tone.
Early life forms and fossil finds challenge old timelines
Smithsonian scientist Dr Charles D Walcott reports Cambrian fossils from Burgess Pass Canada showing diverse life long before fish. The discoveries at Field B C suggest multicellular life existed 27.64 million years ago with evolving pre Paleozoic forms reshaping Proterozoic history.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Charles D. Walcott
Smithsonian Institution
Burgess Pass
Canadian Rockies
Field
B. C
Walcott
Santa Catalina Island
Earth
Professor Walcott
A Whale Never Gets Into Trouble Till He Blows
A local picture show scene features a boastful youth advising a shy man to tout himself. The crowd laughs as the screen caption appears, reminding that a whale never gets into trouble until he blows.
Grazing Sheep Planned on War Ruins in Europe
The article notes that sheep will be grazed on former battlefields in Europe until areas are farmable again. Devastated France and Britain area fields now growing lush grass offer prime sheep ranges. Agricultural relief groups plan to donate British flocks to farmers returning to their lands.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Europe
Papier Mechanics Magazine
France
Briginm =o
Suspicious Circumstance in Quiet Seaside Visit
Mrs Gripping asks about disorder on return from the seashore. Mrs Whympe says the house was intact and commends Mr Whymle for order. Mrs Whympe hints a detective should have traced the man who did not stay home while she was away.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Mrs. Gripping
Mrs. Whympe
Also Mentioned on This Page
Brunswick Tires
Evens & Moffett
North Side
Jones
School of Auctioneering
Robert M. McHaffie
Stilesville, Indiana
A. J. Duff
East Walnut Street
Willard Batteries
United States
Burdick
LEE
Goodyear
U. S
Free Air—Free Water
Greencastle Battery Company
North Side Square
R. H. Richards
Othee
Central National Bank
Elm Street
Red
Stevens
J. Stevens Arms Company
Chicopee Falls, Mass., U. S. A
Barker
Jane
Belle
Mooney
Copa
Mrs. Bescham
Benham
Wes
Tle
Profiteer
Hobbs
Dobbs
Dearie
Marriage Insurance
Waiter
Dallas News
Enna
Enterprise
Norway
Iceland
Rafato
Hal
Australia
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