“When the Okies Migrated To California,
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It Raised the I.Q. in Both States”
This witty observation captures a mathematical paradox wrapped in a regional insult. It suggests that the migrants were less intelligent than the average Oklahoman yet smarter than the average Californian. Consequently, their movement theoretically improved the intellectual average of both locations. People often attribute this clever barb to the legendary humorist Will Rogers. However, history tells a different story.
Humor often attaches itself to famous figures. We call this the “flypaper effect” of celebrity quotes. Will Rogers, with his folksy wisdom, became a magnet for such sayings. Nevertheless, a closer look at the timeline reveals significant discrepancies. Rogers died in 1935. Yet, this specific joke did not appear in print with his name until decades later. Therefore, we must dig deeper to find the true origins of this statistical quip.
The Mathematical Wit Behind the Joke
The humor relies on a concept known as the “Will Rogers phenomenon” in statistics. This effect occurs when moving an element from one set to another raises the average value of both sets. For this to work, the moving element must be below the average of the source group but above the average of the destination group. Thus, the joke functions as a double-edged sword.
It insults the intelligence of the migrants. Simultaneously, it insults the intelligence of the destination’s population. This multi-layered mockery explains why the joke has survived for so long. It allows the teller to act superior to two different groups at once. Furthermore, the logic holds up mathematically, which adds a layer of intellectual satisfaction to the punchline.
Debunking the Will Rogers Attribution
Most people confidently state that Will Rogers coined this phrase. They assume it fits his style perfectly. However, the historical record contradicts this belief. Rogers passed away in 1935, well before the joke gained traction in this specific form. Extensive searches of his writings yield no results. He certainly wrote about intelligence. For instance, he famously noted that you cannot legislate common sense. But he never made this specific migration comparison.
The first time someone publicly linked Rogers to this quote was in 1970. Source Oklahoma Governor Dewey F. Bartlett used the line in a speech. He claimed Rogers said it. . This occurred thirty-five years after the humorist’s death. Consequently, scholars view this attribution with extreme skepticism. It appears Bartlett simply attached a famous name to a popular street joke to give it more weight.
The True Origins: A 1939 Discovery
If Rogers did not say it, who did? Researchers have traced the earliest version of this joke to 1939. A columnist named Herbert L. Carver wrote it in a newspaper. However, his version did not mention Oklahoma or California. Instead, Carver focused on a single man moving between two counties in Mississippi. He framed it as a riddle. The punchline revealed that the man’s move raised the intelligence of both counties. This implies the man was not very bright, but the second county was even worse.
This 1939 citation proves the structure of the joke existed before the Dust Bowl narrative took over. It started as a local jab. Over time, it evolved. People realized the template worked for any rivalry. Therefore, they adapted it to fit new circumstances. The core mechanics remained the same, but the targets changed.
Evolution Through the 1940s and 1950s
Throughout the 1940s, the joke traveled through various communities. Religious publications adopted it early on. In 1941, a column featured a preacher moving from Missouri to Arkansas. The writer claimed this shift improved both states. This shows how versatile the joke had become. It was no longer just about counties. It now spanned state lines.
By 1944, the joke reached academia. Engineering students at the University of Michigan used it against their rivals. They asked about a student transferring to Ohio State. The punchline, predictably, was that the transfer raised the IQ of both colleges. This usage highlights the joke’s utility in institutional rivalries.
Then, in 1955, the narrative finally connected with the Dust Bowl. An industrialist named Harry Woodhead told the story specifically about “Okies” moving to California. He claimed a survey proved the IQ shift. This version cemented the link between the migration event and the mathematical punchline. Consequently, the joke found its most famous form.
Political Adoption in Oklahoma
Interestingly, Oklahomans eventually embraced the joke. Rather than taking offense, they used it to show humility. In the 1960s, the joke circulated at the University of Oklahoma. Students told it about moving to Texas. Local newspapers reported that this signaled a decline in the state’s “inferiority complex.”
Politicians soon followed suit. Governor Bartlett, before misattributing it to Rogers, used the joke frequently. He told it to audiences to break the ice. By making fun of his own constituents, he appeared down-to-earth. Furthermore, by invoking Will Rogers later on, he turned a potential insult into a piece of folk wisdom. This rebranding helped the joke survive in the public consciousness.
The New Zealand Connection
The joke did not stay in America. It crossed the Pacific Ocean to New Zealand. There, it found a new champion in Prime Minister Robert Muldoon. In the 1970s and 80s, migration from New Zealand to Australia was high. Muldoon famously commented on this trend. He stated that Kiwis moving to Australia raised the IQ of both countries.
Witnesses confirm Muldoon actually said this. A journalist reported seeing him deliver the line during a debate in the 1980s. The audience roared with laughter. However, Muldoon did not invent the joke. He merely adapted an existing American classic. Nevertheless, many New Zealanders still credit him with the wit. This mirrors the Will Rogers situation. A charismatic leader used an old joke, and the public gave him ownership of it.
Why This Joke Endures
This joke survives because it is flexible. You can swap out the locations easily. It works for sports teams, rival companies, or neighboring towns. Additionally, it sounds smart. It uses the language of statistics to deliver a burn. This makes the teller feel clever.
Moreover, it captures a universal truth about rivalry. We always want to believe our neighbors are less intelligent than we are. This joke validates that feeling. It confirms our biases while offering a logical explanation. Thus, it remains a staple of regional humor.
Conclusion
The quote about Okies and California is a masterpiece of insult comedy. While Will Rogers likely never said it, the line fits his persona. It has traveled from Mississippi counties to international borders. It has served preachers, students, and prime ministers. Ultimately, the true author is the collective wit of the public. We keep retelling it because the math, however mean-spirited, is simply too funny to ignore.