“What is the difference between a taxidermist and a tax collector? The taxidermist takes only your skin.”. Source
This sharp-witted observation perfectly captures a timeless sentiment about taxes. It is a joke that feels both clever and painfully true. For over a century, this quip has circulated widely. Most people attribute it to the legendary American humorist, Mark Twain. While he is central to its story, the joke’s history is more complex than it first appears. It involves different phrasing, earlier concepts, and a journey through various publications.
Ultimately, the quote’s enduring power lies in its brilliant, visceral comparison. It taps into the universal frustration people feel toward taxation. Let’s explore the origins, evolution, and lasting legacy of this famous remark. Mark Twain in His Times
The Mark Twain Connection
The strongest evidence links this specific joke directly to Mark Twain’s Notebook. Researchers point to two key publications that solidified this attribution. The first appearance in print was in a 1927 collection called “More Maxims of Mark.” Merle Johnson compiled this book, which presented numerous witty sayings credited to the author.
However, the most definitive link came a few years later. In 1935, Albert Bigelow Paine published “Mark Twain’s Notebook.” Paine was Twain’s official literary executor and had access to his private papers. In this book, the taxidermist joke appears in a section of notes dated to 1902. This placement suggests Twain conceived the witticism around that time. Therefore, experts generally credit Twain with this specific phrasing of the joke. . Source
Variations on a Theme
Like any popular joke, this one has evolved over time. People have adapted its wording, though the core punchline remains intact. The most common variation simply substitutes one word. Instead of “skin,” many versions use the word “hide.” For example, a California newspaper in 1935 quoted someone reading Mark Twain Papers & Project – University of California, Berkeley epigrams, including the line, “The only difference between a tax collector and a taxidermist is that the taxidermist only takes your hide.”
This small change slightly alters the rhythm but preserves the joke’s dark humor. Furthermore, other creative twists have appeared over the years. A 1996 article in Montreal’s The Gazette offered another take: “The only difference between a tax man and a taxidermist is that the taxidermist leaves the skin.” This version adds an extra layer of cynical wit. These variations demonstrate the joke’s flexibility and its ability to adapt to different storytellers and contexts. The Mark Twain Papers & Project – University of California, Berkeley
Earlier Jokes and Precursors
While Mark Twain likely originated the famous version, he was not the first to compare tax collection to skinning. The general concept existed decades earlier. Indeed, the idea of tax collectors ‘skinning’ the public was a familiar comedic trope. For instance, an 1862 edition of the Cleveland Morning Leader published a similar joke from the Boston Transcript.
That version used a clever play on words. It stated that the difference between a taxidermist and a tax-gatherer was that “the former stuffs the skin, the latter skins the stuff.” This earlier example shows that the fundamental comedic idea was already in circulation. Additionally, a 1909 piece in The New York Times adapted the joke for a different target, noting that both a taxidermist and a taxicab could “skin you.” Twain’s genius was in refining the concept into a more direct and memorable question-and-answer format. Mark Twain’s Humor: The Complete Collection
Why the Joke Endures
The comparison between a tax collector and a taxidermist remains popular for a simple reason. It resonates with a deep-seated public skepticism toward taxation. The joke provides a humorous outlet for the frustration many feel when paying taxes. It frames the act not as a civic duty, but as a painful loss. Consequently, the visceral image of losing one’s skin makes the financial sting feel more real and immediate.
Public opinion on taxes often reflects this sentiment. Many people feel the burden is too high. . This shared feeling ensures the joke finds a receptive audience in every generation. Source
. Mark Twain in His Times: An Online Archive
In summary, Mark Twain’s famous quip is a masterclass in dark humor. It is concise, clever, and painfully relatable. While its roots are deeper than many realize, Twain’s specific formulation became the one that achieved lasting fame. The joke continues to be shared today because it perfectly captures a feeling that, much like taxes themselves, never seems to go away.