“Whoever Source named it necking was a poor judge of anatomy.”
Exploring the Origins of a Humorous Observation
Humor often thrives on clever wordplay and observations about everyday language. One such witty remark concerns the term “necking,” commonly used to describe romantic activities involving kissing and hugging. The joke implies that the person who coined this term misunderstood anatomy, as the actions in question typically involve areas lower than the neck.
This humorous line has been widely attributed to the legendary comedian Groucho Marx. However, as with many popular quotes, its true origins are more complex and intriguing. Tracing the history of this remark reveals a fascinating journey through American humor.
Early Appearances in Print
The first known appearance of a similar joke dates back to 1929 in “The Tilden Citizen,” a Nebraska newspaper. An advertisement featured a character named Otto, who quipped about the inaccuracy of the term “necking.” This early instance suggests that the joke was circulating in American culture well before Marx’s association with it.
By 1931, another variation appeared in a different Nebraska newspaper. A highway robber, pointing a gun at someone’s stomach, was described as a “poor student of anatomy.” This showcases the adaptable nature of the comedic formula, applying the anatomical mismatch to various scenarios.
In 1932, the “Greenville Daily Advocate” of Ohio published a version of the joke. This time, it commented on the distance rather than anatomical knowledge, demonstrating the joke’s evolving punchline.
The Evolution of the Joke
The version most closely resembling the line attributed to Groucho Marx appeared in 1943. Humorist Robert Quillen published it in his column “Paragraphs,” noting the namer’s ignorance of anatomy. This marked a significant development, combining the necking theme with a specific reference to anatomical misunderstanding.
Three years later, the syndicated column “Office Cat” featured a similar version. The wording varied slightly, but the essence remained the same. These iterations indicate that the joke was popular and widely adapted by different writers.
Attribution to Groucho Marx
The first recorded attribution to Groucho Marx came from Evan Esar in 1968. His compilation “20,000 Quips and Quotes” credited the line to Marx. This association gained further traction in 1977, with Laurence J. Peter’s “Peter’s Quotations.” That year, Groucho Marx passed away, solidifying the link between him and the quip in public memory.
Interestingly, in 1975, columnist Maury White attributed the joke to a mysterious figure named Agro B. Arlo. This attribution, however, lacks supporting evidence in historical records.
The Role of “Ryderisms”
Evan Esar’s 1978 work “The Comic Encyclopedia” provides context for the joke’s development. He discusses “Ryderisms,” named after Robert O. Ryder, who crafted similar jokes during Prohibition. Ryder’s line about “near beer” being a poor judge of distance inspired many variations, including the necking joke associated with Marx.
By 1979, the attribution to Groucho Marx was firmly entrenched in popular culture. Various publications and collections continued to credit him, despite the joke’s earlier appearances.
Conclusion: Origins and Impact
Given the available evidence, Robert Quillen likely deserves credit for publishing the joke in a recognizable form in 1943. However, it’s possible that Quillen was merely repeating an existing quip. The earlier iterations from 1929 and 1932 show the joke’s organic evolution within American humor.
While the links from 1968 onward associate the joke with Groucho Marx, he may not have originated it. Source Nonetheless, he became the most famous performer connected to this humorous observation. This journey through the history of a joke highlights the complex interplay between humor, language, and cultural memory.