Practical household tips from 1931 Western Newspaper Union
A compilation of domestic hacks for paraffin melting in a teapot, safe match storage, iron polishing with phonograph records, shellac floors, egg white for gilt frames, preserving fruit juices with tapioca or gelatin, easy egg shell removal, cooking meat in liquor for flavor, mending worn broadcloth, cleaning gloves with warm gasoline and soap, using brown paper to rub irons, and producing glass shine with wax or paraffin.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Western Newspaper Union
Patty Meets the Milk Bottle Gang in a Milk Lesson
In a sunny garden Patty dislikes milk then meets a talking Milk Bottle and his colorful Vitamin friends. The vitamins named A B C D Iron Phosphorus Calcium Sulphur and Protein perform playful lessons about health and strength urging Patty to drink milk. The Milk Bottle and crew promise to visit whenever invited.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Patty
Lights of New York Woman Seeks Passport on European Visit
A wealthy New York woman, known for flouting strict rules, plans a European season and discovers her need for a passport. Her independent view on regulations contrasts with male dominated law and female customs of the era. She aims to travel despite prior absence from abroad.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
New York
Europe
Passport prank and spelling game misadventure
A wife fakes her passport description to match her wishful hazel eyes, prompting her husband’s disbelief. The tale shifts to a social crowd obsessed with spelling games, hinting at a comic downfall as the narrator laments the educational craze.
Dictionary and spelling games irritate reader
A reader vents about spelling games and definitions in newspapers, criticizing the shift to word quizzes and asking for clarity on terms like biennial biannual moiety. The note, dated 1921 via Bell Syndicate WNU Service, expresses frustration with language puzzles.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Bell Syndicate
WNU Service
Luncheon Menu Tips And Fish Dishes From 1931
A 1931 Western Newspaper Union note details a luncheon menu with crisp lettuce salad and fruit, plus protein from nuts. It outlines French Potato Soup with potatoes onions and milk, Creamed Finnan Haddie with white sauce, stuffed green peppers browned with crumbs, and fish variants like salmon or tuna. It also suggests using leftover fruit to make jelly or jam.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Western Newspaper Union
Portrait Reunion Sparks Pillow Talk Doubt
A humorous domestic exchange centers on a staged portrait and a revealing photograph. The dialogue contrasts memory and appearance as a husband and wife joke about their past selves and hair. The bit plays on vanity and recognition in a light, domestic vignette.
As simple as Columbus egg explained
The passage notes the origin of the phrase as simple yet puzzling. It recounts how Columbus balanced an egg at the Spanish court, inspiring the expression as a metaphor for solving a problem that appears hard but is actually simple. The anecdote is presented as historical background and attribution.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
America
Spain
Columbus’ Egg
Bell Syndicate
WNU Service
Farmer Kills Huge Eagle Near Tazewell Virginia
John Murray a local farmer shot a massive eagle at Horsepen with a 78 inch wingspan. Neighbors believe this eagle attacked a child recently and the bird was found drinking from a creek before it was killed.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Tazewell
John Murray
Overcoat Joke Reflects Cold Reception at Home
A Cincinnati Enquirer quip features two poker players arguing about bringing an overcoat on a hot night. One says the coat is to avoid chills, the other notes the night is hot but the real chill comes when he returns home early in the morning and faces his wife.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Cincinnati Enquirer
Late Night Routines Sparks Timely Departures
Dialogue captures Bokem noting it is nearly half past eleven and urging departure while Kutting confirms it is indeed later than that, highlighting a shared concern with time.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Mr. Bokem
Miss Kutting
Joy Ride Ends With Red Tape Sack
A steam roller driver returns home to dinner to announce he has been fired. He describes the dismissal as the result of red tape, adding humor as his wife questions the sack. The London Tatler caption underlines workplace absurdity with a domestic punchline.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
London Tatler
Domestic trouble for Browne after pearl remark
An acquaintance teases Browne asking about his trouble. He replies that the issue is domestic, noting his wife remains a pearl while the mother of pearl causes the difficulties. The exchange preserves a humorous, rustic tone.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Browne
Man Seeks Cure for Habit of Snoring
A man visits his physician for help to cure snoring. When asked if the snoring disturbs his wife the patient replies it disturbs his wife, then adds it disturbs the whole congregation, in a humorous note from The Southwestern Episcopalian.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
M. D
Sure of Mushrooms Exchange Over Fresh Fungi
A playful exchange between hostess and guest centers on fresh mushrooms. The hostess insists the mushrooms are real and safe, while the guest probes whether they could be toadstools. The hostess confirms she opened the can herself to reassure safety.
Knew Too Much Aunt Helen Scene Sparks Tension
In a domestic comic exchange Aunt Helen scolds a child and Little Margaret retorts, highlighting a clash over boundaries and social norms. The dialogue reveals family dynamics and playful mischief in a quiet, humorous moment.
Dialogues Reveal Hidden Truths Among Clever Minds
In a brief exchange, Brown and Smith debate appearances versus reality as Brown hints at a hidden truth behind cleverness while Smith questions if the remark targets him. The dialogue underscores suspicion and misperception in social interaction.
Flap It and Flip End Play With Production
A brief exchange confirms that the play by Flap and Flip was completed and produced. The conversation notes the project reached finalization and reached the stage of production.
How Mommer Feels About It
A brief Florida Times Union quip on aging cars and resale. A child asks what happens to an old automobile and a parent answers that it will be sold to the father as a used car “good as new.”
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Mommer
Dearie
Florida Times-Union
Not a Chance Film Star Tit Bite Aged Love
Dialogue memo in Tit-Bita column notes a film star asking if love will endure aging and a third husband joking about divorce long before that. The witty banter centers on romance and marriage in a newspaper brief.
Also Mentioned on This Page
South Africa
Mtamo
Kranskop
Natal
the Children’s’ Corner
Dorothy Edm
Arlington Bridge
Arlington Memorial Bridge
Potomac
Washington
Fort Myer
Lights OF
Kitchin
Hubby
Home
Margaret
Brown
Smith
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