"Teach your children about taxes -- eat 30% of their…

“Teach your children about taxes—eat 30% of their ice cream” is a jocular saying that has been printed on ecards and posters. The joke was first told by American television host and comedian Conan O’Brien, who tweeted om September 4, 2011:

“Just taught my kids about taxes by eating 38% of their ice cream.”

The percentage varies. “If you want to teach your children on the nature of taxes, eat 50% of their ice cream” was cited on Twitter on January 22, 2013.

A similar remark about candy had been posted earlier. “I’m looking forward to teaching children about taxes tonight. I will take 40% of their candy and redistribute it (mostly to myself)” was posted on Twitter by Matt Singley on October 31, 2008.

Twitter
Matt Singley
@mattsingley
I’m looking forward to teaching children about taxes tonight. I will take 40% of their candy and redistribute it (mostly to myself).
4:02 PM - 31 Oct 2008

Twitter
Conan O’Brien‏
@ConanOBrien
Just taught my kids about taxes by eating 38% of their ice cream.
11:05 AM - 4 Sep 2011

Twitter
Jeremy Stefan Brooks
‏@JSB4DRPAUL
Via Ron Paul For President:
If you want to teach your children on the nature of taxes, eat 50% of their ice cream.
10:16 PM - 22 Jan 2012

Twitter
Emily Milan
‏@EmmaMilanNY
If you want to teach your children about taxes, eat 38% of their ice cream! Thanks for the laugh Conan
9:01 PM - 30 Jun 2012

Twitter
Ellerfield Financial
‏@Ellerfield
The best way to teach your children about taxes is to eat 30% of their ice cream! http://fb.me/1d3N3RguP
10:31 PM - 6 May 2013

meh.ro
Teach your children about tax
Posted by Negative0 on 21st June 2013

clothdiaperjourney
November 7, 2013
Teach your children about tax. Eat 30% of their ice cream.
(Source: facebook.com)

Twitter
Politics and Humor
‏@PoliticalLaughs
Teach Your Children About Tax - Eat 30% of Their Ice Cream ⇒ http://www.political-humor.org/teach-your-children-about-tax-eat-30-of-their-ice-cream.shtml … #Liberal
9:40 PM - 3 Apr 2015