Category Archives: Humor

Only Fools Are Positive – Proverb

Nationality: American
Age: 18
Occupation: College student
Residence: Farmington, Minnesota
Language: English

Text:

Only fools are positive

Context:

The informant heard this from their dad as a kid growing up in Minnesota. The example they gave me was that they would say a neutral statement to their dad such as “I walked the dog.” Their dad would respond with “are you sure?” and when the informant said yes, their dad would say “only fools are positive.” The informant said this proverb was always used as a joke in their life. Their dad used the phrase which is meant to be about not being too overconfident in a context where the informant can be confident without any concerns. The informant added that they enjoyed the double meaning of the phrase where it can mean that only a fool is positive meaning sure of what they are saying or positive meaning happy. They said that they weren’t always sure which meaning their dad was trying to use in his jokes.

Analysis:

This use of the proverb may have been mainly as a joke but this phrase has a lot more meaning to it. The proverb implies that it is foolish to be positive but given the double meaning of “positive,” the phrase can be used in multiple ways. Beginning with positive meaning overconfident or saying a definite statement, the phrase is a warning to the listener. It tells the person to not speak in absolutes and there is a possibility that they are uninformed. If they do, it might make them look like a fool when they are proven wrong. This phrase reflects some American cultural values, because an awareness of one’s own lack of knowledge is seen as a virtue. For example, in the workplace, being able to admit that you don’t know everything makes you more appealing to managers. They know you won’t overcommit or be overly confident in the workplace. This value is reflected in broader culture as people generally don’t like the cocky know-it-all and tend to gravitate towards people who are humble.

This phrase is slightly comedic with this definition. It tells a person to not speak in definitive statements but it itself is a definitive statement. It says that only one type of person is overconfident, and that no one else is.

The second way to read “positive” is as happy. In this interpretation, the phrase means that only a fool would be overly happy. Anyone else would have a healthy level of realism with the world. This implies that being too happy is bad and that realism is good. This reflects another cultural value of America where happiness and joyfulness are associated mainly with youth. As you age, you are expected to grow out of your carefree nature and come to a mindset with more realism. This phrase tells you that only a fool would stay with their unrestrained mindset and reject realism. In America, realism is valued and is associated with self-sufficiency, another cultural value that you are meant to embody as an adult.

This phrase has two meanings that on the surface look very different but, looking deeper, they both have strong ties to American cultural values of adulthood that are viewed as strengths in the workplace. It tells people to be wary of absolutes and to view the world with an amount of realism instead of being too happy-go-lucky.

Children’s Alternative Acronym for the MCAS – Joke

Nationality: American
Age: 18
Occupation: College student
Residence: Sudbury, Massachusetts
Language: English

Text:

Massachusetts Child Abuse System (MCAS)

Context:

The MCAS is a standardized test in Massachusetts that stands for Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System. The informant, who is from Sudbury, Massachusetts, took it throughout their time at school. Every child is required to take this test in grades 3rd-8th and 10th. It covers English language and math in all years; science in 5th, 8th, and 10th; and civics in 8th. Passing this test in 10th grade is a requirement to graduating and if a child fails, they have to retake it in 11th grade. The informant heard this nickname for the test through previous generations of students at their school. They used this term with their friends as they talked about not liking the test and bonded over a shared dislike of standardized testing. The informant finds this nickname funny and it’s primary use was as a joke.

Analysis:

Children are obviously not going to enjoy a standardized test but the severity of the language chosen reflects just how much they hate it. In this case, kids are slightly exaggerating their anger at a standardized test because they are aware that it isn’t child abuse but it still shows an extreme level of annoyance. Child abuse is a very heavy topic that children are dissuaded from discussing. Children’s interest in a subject generally goes up based on how much they are told to avoid it. Making jokes surrounding a topic is an easy way to access it in a safe way. It allows children to explore a difficult concept without any real risk to themselves or others. They are simultaneously using it as a way to talk about a topic that they aren’t supposed to.

Children want to rebel against adults when they can because adults control almost every aspect of a child’s life. When they have the opportunity to break away from that control, they take it. This isn’t contained to just children, any group that lacks control over their lives looks for ways to subvert the powerful. One way that is commonly used is jokes, such as this. Jokes are a way to go against what you are told to think or feel or, in this case, told to not think or feel. Jokes can be counter hegemonic and allow kids in this case to regain some power in their lives. This acronym translation is an example of how children exaggerate their annoyance with adult control over their lives, rebel against those adults, and use tabooistic topics within jokes as a way of exploring them.

Always Bring a Litter Bag

Nationality: American
Age: 59
Occupation: Psychology Professor
Residence: Forest Falls, CA
Language: English

Text:

“‘Always –‘ no wait, it was ‘Never –‘ no, wait, it was… ‘Always take a litter bag in your car. When it gets full, you can just toss it out the window.'”

Context:

When I had originally asked the informant, KB, if he knew any proverbs, he grinned and recited this one to me. KB was paraphrasing American comedian and actor Steve Martin. The original quote is:

“I studied with the Maharishi for many years, and really didn’t learn that much. But one thing that he taught me, I’ll never forget: ‘ALWAYS…’ no, wait– ‘NEVER…’ no, wait, it was ‘ALWAYS take a litter bag in your car. It doesn’t take up much room, and if it gets full, you can toss it out the window.'”

Analysis:

This is an anti-proverb and meant to be humorous on multiple levels. The original quote, as performed by Steve Martin, plays on the audience’s expectations of hearing a wise guru’s advice, to instead receive the apparent recommendation to litter. KB’s recitation of the quote subverted my own expectations of hearing a regular proverb. We also have a shared knowledge of Steve Martin’s comedy acts, so he knew I would understand the reference.

If it were to be performed as a regular proverb, KB suggested, “You would say this proverb when you’re in a car with your friend and there’s trash on the uh… on the floorboard, and you’re doggin’ him about the trash in his car.”

Rock Climbing Safety

Nationality: American
Age: 21
Occupation: Student
Residence: Los Angeles, CA
Language: English

Text:

“Dude on rock?”

“Rock on dude.”

Context:

The informant, TG, is originally from San Jose and grew up rock climbing at summer camp as a teenager. He explained that rock climbers must go through a safety procedure before they begin climbing. After all of the gear is properly equipped, the climber has a verbal exchange with person belaying them (this person controls the rope slack and tension to ensure the climber does not fall) that typically goes like this:

Climber: “On belay?”

Belayer: “Belay on.”

Climber: “Climbing.”

Belayer: “Climb on.”

[Climber begins climbing.]

TG said that this exchange is important because it signals that both people are ready and actively engaged to ensure proper safety. “Dude on rock?” / “Rock on dude” is a playful variation of this, and would take place immediately after “On belay?” / “Belay on.”

Analysis:

Rock climbing is an activity that comes with the inherent risk of serious injury. TG suggested that fun riffs on these safety procedures help the climbers to feel more casual and relaxed. The phrase is also a play on words, with rock’s double meanings as a solid mineral and as a music genre. Furthermore, TG grew up in close proximity to San Francisco, which was notable for its psychedelic rock and hippie culture during the 1960’s and 1970’s — hence the influence of the phrase “Rock on!”

“Them’s the Breaks”

Age: 24

Participant first heard this phrase in 2024 from a friend who had heard it in a youtube video. They use it as a way to say “it is what it is”, and to move on from smaller problems or hardships. It has also been used as an inside joke, in the situation that something goes wrong when both of them are present.

Analysis: “Them’s the breaks” definitely has an origin from outside the internet, but its internet-origin is important to the meaning for these 2 friends. This is because this phrase has 2 purposes: to remind oneself to accept that mistakes can happen, and also of a shared joke. I think it also goes to show how quickly references can go from one-off jokes to longer-term shared speech.