The term derives from a cartoon published in the humorous British magazine Punch on 9 November 1895. Drawn by George du Maurier and titled True Humility, it pictures a timid-looking curate eating breakfast in his bishop’s house.4 The bishop says: “I’m afraid you’ve got a bad egg, Mr Jones.” The curate replies, desperate not to offend his eminent host and ultimate employer: “Oh no, my Lord, I assure you that parts of it are excellent!” (This clearly cannot be true of a bad egg.)
Antithesis
The final issue of Punch, published in 1992, reprinted the cartoon with the caption: Curate: This fing egg’s off!5 Thus Punch drew a contrast with the modern era, implying that younger people have little concern for the niceties of Victorian good manners towards those once considered their social superiors.
I understand the temptation of a comic artist to get deep and intellectual and dive into obscure references sometimes…but jokes lose their humor if they have to be explained to you, whether it’s the guy in your office telling the joke, or by wikipedia.
Night-Gaunt49[Bozo is Boffo] over 7 years ago
From Wikipedia.
Origin
The term derives from a cartoon published in the humorous British magazine Punch on 9 November 1895. Drawn by George du Maurier and titled True Humility, it pictures a timid-looking curate eating breakfast in his bishop’s house.4 The bishop says: “I’m afraid you’ve got a bad egg, Mr Jones.” The curate replies, desperate not to offend his eminent host and ultimate employer: “Oh no, my Lord, I assure you that parts of it are excellent!” (This clearly cannot be true of a bad egg.)
Antithesis
The final issue of Punch, published in 1992, reprinted the cartoon with the caption: Curate: This fing egg’s off!5 Thus Punch drew a contrast with the modern era, implying that younger people have little concern for the niceties of Victorian good manners towards those once considered their social superiors.
I was unaware of this till today.
Sir Ruddy Blighter over 7 years ago
I understand the temptation of a comic artist to get deep and intellectual and dive into obscure references sometimes…but jokes lose their humor if they have to be explained to you, whether it’s the guy in your office telling the joke, or by wikipedia.
doris sloan over 7 years ago
And apologies to your readers, who are blindsided with politics?
katzenbooks45 over 7 years ago
I love this! Humor and education. I don’t care if I have to look it up.
celeconecca over 7 years ago
http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/163300.html (the original cartoon is included)
gatocatcat over 7 years ago
The joke having lost its humor, I immersed myself in the delightful history lesson.
As Bertie Wooster would say: “Good egg!”
Stephen Gilberg over 7 years ago
I just want to know how Cynthia knew it.
Night-Gaunt49[Bozo is Boffo] over 7 years ago
Cynthia has more than the usual intelligence and inquisitiveness.