The Big Apple
About Archives Categories Index Search
About Archives Categories Index Search

November 27, 2015
Music/Dance/Theatre/Film/Circus

“Can we talk?” (Joan Rivers comic catchphrase)

"Can we talk?" was the catchphrase of Brooklyn-born comedian Joan Rivers (1933-2014). The saying meant that she was going to talk frankly, honestly, and, of course, with brutal humor.…

November 26, 2020
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Can we try turning the country off and on again?”

The 2020 COVID-19 pandemic made life difficult for many countries. "Has anyone tried turning the country off and on again?" -- something one does to a computer system -- is a joke that…

April 25, 2020
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Can we uninstall 2020 and install it again? This version has a virus”

The 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic had many people wanting to "uninstall" 2020. "Can we uninstall 2020 and reinstall it? I believe it has a virus" was posted on Facebook by…

April 25, 2020
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Can we uninstall 2020 and reinstall it? I believe it has a virus”

The 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic had many people wanting to "uninstall" 2020. "Can we uninstall 2020 and reinstall it? I believe it has a virus" was posted on Facebook by…

May 24, 2017
Sports/Games

“Can you buy an entire chess set in a pawn shop?”

These have been chess jokes involving a pawn shop. "You can buy a used chess set in a pawn shop" was printed in the Washington (DC) Post in 1974. Yes, maybe you can buy a chess set in a…

November 5, 2020
Media/Newspapers/Magazines/Internet

“Can you buy clothes pegs online?” (joke)

"Online" should not be confused with "on line" (like a clothesline, with clothes pegs). "Can you buy clothes pegs online?" was posted on Facebook by Chris Wright on…

January 14, 2017
Transportation

“Can you give me a lift?”/“Sure, you look great, the world’s your oyster, go for it.”

A popular joke about asking someone "for a lift" (meaning transportation) is: "So I was getting into my car, and this bloke says to me, 'Can you give me a lift?' I said.…

January 29, 2026
Pets (Dogs, Cats, Horses)

“Can you imagine how awkward it would be if your pet went on your phone and found the 1000s of pictures you have of them sleeping”

Many people take photos of their sleeping pets. This was posted on X/Twitter by Laura Lovette on July 19, 2018, and it received over 218,000 likes: "Can you imagine how awkward it would be if…

February 8, 2023
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Can you name a Japanese weapon?”/“Shuriken.”

A "shuriken" is a Japanese concealed weapon. "Shuriken" sounds like "sure I can," and there are jokes. "If you were to ask, 'Can you tell me the Japanese…

February 8, 2023
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Can you name a Japanese weapon?”/“Sure I can.”

A "shuriken" is a Japanese concealed weapon. "Shuriken" sounds like "sure I can," and there are jokes. "If you were to ask, 'Can you tell me the Japanese…

December 29, 2020
Food/Drink

“Can you put vodka in a humidifier? Asking for a friend”

"Can you put vodka in a humidifier? Asking for a friend" is a jocular question that has been printed on many images. Some people love the smell of vodka. "So what if you put vodka in…

March 10, 2021
Music/Dance/Theatre/Film/Circus

“Can you strangle a mime with a cordless phone?”

Many people hate mimes. "I just strangled a mime with a cordless phone" was posted on Twitter by Jason Maybe on January 22, 2011. "I just strangled a mime.... With a cordless…

February 8, 2023
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Can you tell me the Japanese word for a ninja throwing star?”/“Sure I can.”

A "shuriken" is a Japanese concealed weapon. "Shuriken" sounds like "sure I can," and there are jokes. "If you were to ask, 'Can you tell me the Japanese…

November 3, 2020
Media/Newspapers/Magazines/Internet

“Can you tell me when the next train is coming?”/“Look online.” (“on line” pun)

"Online" (on the internet) is different than "on line" (as in a train track). "So i said to this bloke how can i find out when's the next train. He said look online i…

November 3, 2020
Transportation

“Can you tell me when the next train is coming?”/“Look online.” (joke)

"Online" (on the internet) is different than "on line" (as in a train track). "So i said to this bloke how can i find out when's the next train. He said look online i…

February 10, 2017
Food/Drink

“Can you turn on the oven?”/“The oven simply does not find me sexually attractive.”

Entry in progress -- B.P. TwitterAta Dirilgen‏@Ata_DirilgenText from my mom: Can you turn on the oven?My answer: I've done everything I can, the oven just doesnt find me sexually…

June 11, 2016
Food/Drink

“Can you use ‘Mountain Dew’ in a sentence?” (“Mount and Do” pun)

Mountain Dew is a carbonated soft drink that was invented in 1940. A popular joke on the name is: Girl: "Can you use 'Mountain Dew' in a sentence?"Guy: "Yes, can I…

October 23, 2021
Exercise/Running/Health Clubs

“Can zombies do yoga?”/“Of corpse knot!”

A zombie riddle was posted on Reddit -- Dadjokes on October 19, 2021: Q: Can zombies do yoga?A: Of corpse knot! "Of corpse knot" is a pun on "of course not." Reddit --…

January 19, 2025
Food/DrinkGovernment/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Can’t believe we ain’t got world peace after changing the picture on a pancake box & syrup bottle”

"Can't believe we don't have world peace after changing the name on pancake boxes and syrup bottles" is a saying that has been printed on many images. The saying refers to the…

January 19, 2025
Food/DrinkGovernment/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Can’t believe we don’t have world peace after changing the name on pancake boxes and syrup bottles”

"Can't believe we don't have world peace after changing the name on pancake boxes and syrup bottles" is a saying that has been printed on many images. The saying refers to the…

First
Previous
171 172 173 174 175
Next
Last

About the Website and Editor

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.

Read more About the Website and Editor
About
Privacy Policy
RSS

© 2026 Barry Popik. All rights reserved.