Who would ever have figured that this practical joke would come back into fashion after 80 years? Be a big hit in your rich Manhattan co-op, as you sprinkle these liberally around!
Today, the average upstanding citizen is a pale shadow of his or her riotous ancestors. We don't drink as much or smoke as much or act goofy in public as much (despite the roll call of weird behaviors as collected by our Fearless Leader, Chuck.)
Look at this boring clip of a contemporary American Legion parade from last year.
Then view this account from 1947, when randy old codger Legionnaires rode bucking ATVs through the streets, poured water from hotel windows, and shocked innocent women with cattle prods (probably the very ones sold through Johnson Smith catalogs, as shown earlier on WU).
Now, answer truly: which era would you rather live in?
Do you know why jokes and pranks like these don't fly any more? Because nobody gives a damn about playing their proper role these days. I'm not even going to mention the old lady with impossible neck and sadistic habits. But just look at that hobo! His hat has the classic open-can-lid top. He's wearing a Victoria Cross medal, cravat and vest. Note how carefully he cradles his cane on his arm. Note how delicately he takes the fake biscuit, with pinky finger upraised. The magnificent scowl when he bites the rubber biscuit! You'd consider your twelve cents well spent!
Now imagine giving a "surprise biscuit" to the modern incoherent and sloppily dressed drug addict sitting on the sidewalk outside your local liquor store. He'd be too out-of-it to even register the prank. If he did, he'd just grunt and toss the surprise biscuit one side, frustrating your enjoyment of your purchase.
First came the wedgie. Then there were Indian Burns. Back when I was in middle school, the "funny" thing for kids to do was giving each other purple nurples. But times have changed. Now kids are into 'Sack Tapping'. It's the latest fad in schoolyard violence... a boy will try to slap or flick the groin of another boy to inflict discomfort or pain. Unfortunately, this game can cause serious, permanent injury. Dr. Scott Wheeler, a pediatric urologist in Minnesota, says he is seeing more instances of young boys coming in with major damage to the testicles because of a "tap" that hit too hard. The trauma sustained by sack tapping can be severe enough to rupture a testicle, an injury that can require surgery or even the amputation of the testicle. I don't know about you guys, but this doesn't sound like fun to me.
Category: Hygiene, Insects, Johnson Smith Catalog, 1930's, Pranks