To the Editor:
Paul,
Thought you would be interested in the origin of this joke. See attachment below from the Huffington Post. Humor at it’s best.
Came to mind when I saw Eileen’s recipe for chicken soup. It’s an old saying and ties in with your observation that it can ease the symptoms of a cold. Keep the comfort food recipes coming. Your blog is most informative and enjoyable.
PAULIE D.
Part time resident of Ocean Grove, heading south
Feb. 7, 2016
Editor’s note: Paulie D. As I read this joke, in my mind, I hear a Catskill Mountain (Borscht Belt) comic telling the joke. It has to be told only by a Jewish comedian and with just the right timing and a shpritz of body language—perhaps a shrug or a frown or a raised eyebrow. Think of Zero Mostel singing “If I Were a Rich Man” with the following line:
“Dear God, you made many, many poor people. I realize, of course, that it’s no great shame to be poor……. but it’s no great honor, either.”
The humor has a rhythm and a style which has cultural roots that go back generations. There was Yiddish theater in Eastern Europe, then on 2nd Avenue in New York, and then into the “mountains” of the Borscht belt at those fabulous resort hotels such as Grossingers, The Concord, and Kutschers.
There was even an official comedian at those hotels. The guy who walked around the resort telling jokes and organizing fun activities for the guests was called a “tummler.” He was sort of a rabble-rouser with jokes.
Here is the group “Hot Soup”–a perfect choice inspired by our recent recipe and by this joke, performing that famous tune “Heebie Jeebie Blues.”
Thanks Paulie, but that idea is not in our game plan. We did try a Grovers telling jokes on their porches series, but that idea landed flatter than a latke on Hanukkah. Only one Grover actually appeared in a video, and I had to supply him with the joke. You know who that modern day Henny Youngman is.
Mike O- I too worked part time in a family-run clothier while in college and also enjoyed the constant banter with the customers. Similar situational jokes and always enjoyed guessing which joke Max or Irv would deploy, depending upon the customer. Each shopper for a Bar Mitzvah suit would be regaled with: “Today I am a man and tomorrow I will be an eighth grader.”
Blogfinger likes good situational humor and a “stump the Blogman” feature is suggested, in which readers would have to guess the punchline or a more advanced version in which the punchline is supplied and the joke must be told. See how that plays in OG. It isn’t exactly the Borscht Belt but hopefully enough readers would enjoy the humorous side of the blog. If Blogfinger runs out of material, which is most unlikely, I have resources that could supply material.
While in college I had a part time job selling mens suits with a full time career Jewish suit salesman, it was quite the experience! A few times a 20 something year old groom to be would come in to buy a suit with his mom for the big day. “Paul” would tell the young man that he has been happily married for over 30 years and asked him if he wanted to know the secret to a happy marriage? Of course the young man replied, “yes”, and Paul said:
“We go out for drinks, dinner and dancing, 2 times per week” (then a pause)
“I go on Tuesday’s and she goes on Thursdays!”
Paul,
Totally agree with your observation on timing. Jack Benny had impeccable timing. One of his best routines, based upon his penchant for frugality goes like this:
A robber puts a gun to his back and says “Your money or your life”. Jack says nothing and after a long silence the robber impatiently says “well” to which Jack replies “I’m thinking, I’m thinking.
I still can’t figure out why the “borscht” belt lost its allure. Today, people travel long distances in cramped planes to experience less than what they had within a two hour drive from NYC.
Go figure!