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March 21, 2018
Buildings/Housing/Parks

“I took the batteries out of my carbon monoxide detector today” (joke)

Many people take the batteries out of a carbon monoxide detector because of constant false beeping, but often the beeping isn't false. "I took the batteries out of my carbon monoxide…

September 7, 2016
Sports/Games

“I took up fencing once, but I couldn’t see the point”

"I really don't see the point of fencing" is a fencing pun that was posted on Twitter on August 9, 2008. "I honestly don't see the point in the fencing" was posted on…

June 21, 2018
Work/Businesses

“I totally understand how batteries feel because I’m rarely ever included in things either”

"Batteries not included" is a famous line that is associated with many products. "I (totally) understand how batteries feel because I'm rarely (ever) included in things…

June 5, 2020
Art/Sculpture

“I totally understand why Italian Renaissance paintings are of naked fat people laying on a couch”

The 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic resulted in home quarantines, where many people sat on a couch and got fat ("Rubenesque"). "Now that I have lived through a 'plague', I…

June 5, 2020
Art/Sculpture

“I totally understand why Italian Renaissance paintings are people lying around with their tits out”

The 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic resulted in home quarantines, where many people sat on a couch and got fat ("Rubenesque"). "Now that I have lived through a 'plague', I…

November 17, 2025
Food/Drink

“I tried cooking corned beef in a pan with potatoes and onions, but sadly I made a hash of it”

To "make a hash" of something means to mess up, but what if one is making hash (a food)? "I know tinned corned beef is supposed to be 'easy' food, but I'm still making…

April 26, 2017
Food/Drink

“I tried cooking with wine. After 5 glasses,  I forgot why I was in the kitchen”

"I tried cooking with wine for the first time last night, after 5 glasses I forgot why I was in the kitchen!" is a jocular wine saying that has been printed on many images. The saying was…

January 30, 2025
Media/Newspapers/Magazines/Internet

“I tried following my dreams, but they blocked me”

"Follow your dreams" is a common saying that has been printed on many images. It usually doesn't refer to a follow on social media, but there are jokes. "I wanted to follow my…

March 17, 2024
Food/Drink

“I tried making a candlelit dinner. I think it would have cooked quicker in the oven”

A “candlelit dinner” usually has candles on the dinner table. The meal is usually not cooked with candles, but there are jokes about that. "Going out tonight for a candlelit dinner. Surely…

July 21, 2024
Media/Newspapers/Magazines/Internet

“I tried memeing less, but it made my day memeingless”

"I tried memeing less, but it made my day(s) memeingless" is a saying that has been printed on many images. "Memeingless" is like "meaningless." "I tried memeing…

July 21, 2024
Media/Newspapers/Magazines/Internet

“I tried memeing less, but it made my days memeingless”

"I tried memeing less, but it made my day(s) memeingless" is a saying that has been printed on many images. "Memeingless" is like "meaningless." "I tried memeing…

March 4, 2013
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“I tried paying taxes with a smile, but the IRS wanted cash”

Some people suggest that citizens should "pay taxes with a smile," knowing that the citizens have patriotically performed a civic duty. Many taxpayers, however, do not enjoy paying taxes.…

March 31, 2015
Pets (Dogs, Cats, Horses)Sports/Games

“I tried playing water polo, but my horse drowned”

Polo is played on horses; water polo is not. A popular joke is: "I tried playing water polo, but my horse drowned." The joke has been cited in print since at least 1968. 18 May 1968,…

October 23, 2020
Food/Drink

“I tried starting my day without coffee once… My court date is pending”

"I tried starting a/my day without coffee once... My court date is pending" is a jocular coffee saying that has been printed on many images. "Tried starting the day without coffee…

September 28, 2017
Sports/Games

“I tried suing someone for stealing my basketball, but it got thrown out of court”

"I tried suing someone for stealing my basketball, but it got thrown out of court" -- a pun also on "basketball" court -- is a joke that was posted on Sickipedia and Twitter on…

February 17, 2018
Food/Drink

“I tried taking everything in life with a grain of salt. After using up two bags of salt I gave up”

To take something "with a grain of salt" is an expression meaning that one views it with skepticism. "I tried taking everything in life with a grain of salt, but after using up two…

June 24, 2017
Work/Businesses

“I tried to be normal once. Worst two minutes of my life”

"I tried to be normal once. Worst two minutes of my life" is a jocular saying that has been printed on many images. "Hey , i tried to be normal once.. worst 15 seconds of my life…

January 21, 2020
Restaurants/Bars/Coffeehouses/Food Stores

“I tried to buy a hot dog with ketchup, but the vendor would only accept cash”

A joke was posted by john on Twitter on May 22, 2017: Me: I'd like to buy a hot dog with ketchup, pleaseHim: Sorry, cash only A similar joke was reposted on Twitter on December 11, 2019.…

July 27, 2018
Banking/Finance/Insurance

“I tried to buy a life insurance policy, but they just laughed and said I need to get a life first”

"Get a life!" is a popular expression. "I was denied life insurance, they said I had to get a life first" is a jocular saying that was posted on the newsgroup…

July 6, 2015
Time/Weather

“I tried to catch some fog. I mist”

"I tired to catch some fog. I mist" is a pun that has been printed on many gift items, such as posters, T-shirts, hats and bumper stickers. "Just tried to catch some fog. I…

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BARRY POPIK is a contributor to the Oxford English Dictionary, Dictionary of American Regional English, Historical Dictionary of American Slang, Yale Book of Quotations and Dictionary of Modern Proverbs. Since 1990 he has also been a regular contributor to Gerald Cohen's Comments on Etymology.

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