Many classified ads state “light house work.” In 1950, several classified ads offering kittens stated that they do “light mouse work.”
A riddle has been cited in print since at least 1992:
Q: What kind of work does a weak cat do?
A: Light mouse work.
12 July 1950, Nashua (IA) Reporter, pg. 4, col. 1 classified ad:
CHARMING KITTEN with exquisite manners desires position as companion in a nice home where good food is served. More for home than wages. Will fancy purring and light mouse work. Phone 4581.
17 December 1950, The Tennessean (Nashville, TN), pg. 5-D, col. 4 classified ad:
KITTENS—Mother cat and kittens, want good home in exchange for light mouse work. 5-7353.
19 March 1958, Daily Defender (Chicago, IL), “Try and Stop Me” by Bennett Cerf, pg. 11, col. 3:
Mike Connolly is advertising for a cat who’s able to do a little light mouse work.
Google Books
102 Cat and Dog Jokes
By Michael Pellowski
Mahwah, NJ: Watermill Press
1992
Pg. 5:
What kind of work does a weak cat do?
Light mouse work.
Google Groups: soc.culture.malaysia
E-mail penpals request!! ......Dear Lily,
BohTeeNang
5/27/98
(...)
Q. What kind of work does a weak cat do?
A. Light mouse work.
Google Groups: alt.humor.puns
Puns of the Weak: 02/08/02
Stan Kegel
2/8/02
(...)
What kind of work does a weak cat do?
Light mouse work (GR8 Humor)
Google Groups: alt.humor.puns
Kids Puns of the Weak 11-23-04
Stan Kegel
11/23/04
(...)
What is the only kind of work a weak cat can do?
Light mouse work (Rita)
Twitter
The Dreaming Dragon
@TheDragon__
Q: What kind of work does a weak cat do?
A: Light mouse work.
3:43 PM - 25 Sep 2007
Google Books
The Awesome Book of Cat Humor
By Bob Phillips
Eugene, OR: Harvest House Press
2009
Pg. 28:
Q: What kind of work does a weak cat do?
A: Light mouse work.
Twitter
lorraine Jo King
@LahLahBean
#wednesdaywit
Q: What kind of work does a weak cat do? -A: Light mouse work.
10:07 AM - 11 Jul 2018
Above, a 1934 plaque from the Big Apple Night Club at West 135th Street and Seventh Avenue in Harlem. Discarded as trash in 2006. Now a Popeyes fast food restaurant on Google Maps.
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Above, Big Apple Corner at 54th Street and Broadway in Manhattan. Google Maps. Stolen and missing, 2021-2024.
Above, John J. Fitz Gerald, from the Aug. 15, 1931, Binghamton (NY) Press, pg. 14.
Listen to Robert Emmerich introduce "The Big Apple," a hit song from 1937. Music written by Bob and performed by Tommy Dorsey's Clambake Seven with Bob on piano. Lyrics written by Buddy Bernier and sung by Edythe Wright. Audio provided by Dorothy Emmerich.
Also listen to a 1937 "The Big Apple" song by Ozzie Nelson and his Orchestra. See a 1929 photo of John J. Fitz Gerald and a 1931 photo of John J. Fitz Gerald.
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