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518
a rooftop
An adult man is in a kid's sandbox. He looks drunk. Two boys stare at him.
There is an adult man in a sandbox for kids. Sandboxes are for kids.
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandpit", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desert" ]
[ "Why is there a drunk man in a kid's sandbox?" ]
Isn't this the same guy who got shipwrecked in our wading pool?
scene: a rooftop description: An adult man is in a kid's sandbox. He looks drunk. Two boys stare at him. uncanny: There is an adult man in a sandbox for kids. Sandboxes are for kids. entities: Sandpit, Desert. caption: Isn't this the same guy who got shipwrecked in our wading pool?
A man who gets lost in a sandbox as if he were stranded in the desert, as depicted, is not so bright because it's difficult to put oneself in a dire situation within a benign children's play area. The kids refer to another analogous situation when the same man put himself in a dire situation (shipwreck) within a benign children's play area (wading pool).
65
10153f9802caab18ce4a25fd77fadfb6
705
the middle of a desert
Two cowboys on horses are inspecting a scene. There is a modern stove and some pots and pans on the ground near a bonfire.
There are modern things in the scene meant for kitchens near the fire.
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cowboy", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Espresso_machine" ]
[ "Why are there modern things in the scene?" ]
Decaf. They can't be far away.
scene: the middle of a desert description: Two cowboys on horses are inspecting a scene. There is a modern stove and some pots and pans on the ground near a bonfire. uncanny: There are modern things in the scene meant for kitchens near the fire. entities: Cowboy, Espresso_machine. caption: Decaf. They can't be far away.
A joke about the impact of caffeine. The two wild-west police officers have encountered the previous night's hide-out of the criminals, but because the criminals drank decaffeinated coffee instead of caffeinated, they likely have less energy to be on the run because caffeine energizes people. So: because they drank decaf, they aren't as far as if they had caffeniated.
60
cf75dc96fee8d1480788c1592189a257
160
outside of a home
Three people are standing in front of a house for sale. There is all sorts of chaos going on inside.
The house is apparently home to Hell.
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Real_estate_agent", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marriage" ]
[ "Will the people buy the house?" ]
The heating system is pretty old but very reliable.
scene: outside of a home description: Three people are standing in front of a house for sale. There is all sorts of chaos going on inside. uncanny: The house is apparently home to Hell. entities: Real_estate_agent, Marriage. caption: The heating system is pretty old but very reliable.
People buying houses often ask about infrastructure like heating systems, which can be outdated: here, the heating system is reliable because the house literally contains hell, which is covered in fire.
32
24b84b53e51b9517f88de345609fe216
674
a field
A man is walking a dog in nature. He comes across a monster standing on a rock.
Monsters are out of place because they don't exist.
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Werewolf", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog" ]
[ "What is the monster there for?" ]
Let's let him keep your ball.
scene: a field description: A man is walking a dog in nature. He comes across a monster standing on a rock. uncanny: Monsters are out of place because they don't exist. entities: Werewolf, Dog. caption: Let's let him keep your ball.
The monster took the ball the dog was playing with prior to this --- because the monster is quite intimidating, the man decides to tell his dog that they will not risk the danger, and will simply let the evil looking monster keep ball. This is funny in part because, instead of running away, the man nonchalantly and calmly states the course of action.
65
ea8e8c31cfd99aee688e96e82d16a9c7
371
a house
A mouse holds a revolver up to a cat. The cat freezes into place with one of its paws up as if mid swipe.
A mouse is not able to pull out and point a gun.
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cat", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mouse" ]
[ "Why is the mouse pointing a gun at the cat?" ]
Six rounds. Nine lives. You do the math.
scene: a house description: A mouse holds a revolver up to a cat. The cat freezes into place with one of its paws up as if mid swipe. uncanny: A mouse is not able to pull out and point a gun. entities: Cat, Mouse. caption: Six rounds. Nine lives. You do the math.
Revolvers have 6 bullet capacity, and there's a proverb that states that cats have 9 lives. The cat is humorously nonchalant about being shot by the mouse because it believes it literally has 9 lives --- even if it was killed 6 times, it would still have extras to win the fight versus the mouse.
56
c748c7db7bda6fd8dfe918c38e9db0f4
541
living room
A woman is opening her front door. A man with a hood and a scythe is talking to her.
The man is dressed like Death.
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_(personification)", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scythe" ]
[ "Why does he have a scythe with him?" ]
Well, if it isn't the Gym Reaper.
scene: living room description: A woman is opening her front door. A man with a hood and a scythe is talking to her. uncanny: The man is dressed like Death. entities: Death_(personification), Scythe. caption: Well, if it isn't the Gym Reaper.
A play on the term "grim reaper" --- who is an iconic character with robes and a scythe representing death. Here, "gym" sounds like "grim", and the "gym reaper" at the door has similar characteristics to the grim reaper (sythe, robes), but is dressed in workout clothing like tennis shoes and sweat pants that one might wear at a gym.
61
fb3fe6720344780fb33a411e70dec963
534
the office
Two men carry a large snake into the work office. They are stopped by a man with a piece of paper in his hand.
Bringing snakes to work is dangerous.
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snake", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Invoice" ]
[ "Why are they bringing a snake to work?" ]
No, what I said was we need more stakeholders.
scene: the office description: Two men carry a large snake into the work office. They are stopped by a man with a piece of paper in his hand. uncanny: Bringing snakes to work is dangerous. entities: Snake, Invoice. caption: No, what I said was we need more stakeholders.
"Stakeholders" sounds like "snakeholders": stakeholders would be a normal office request, but the two people holding a snake have surprised their boss by becoming literal snakeholders instead.
28
58c481133e376a52530dcbdd0dcc213e
667
a home
Mice are working together to construct a maze. They are going over the blueprints of the maze.
Mice do not set up mazes, humans do for mice to follow.
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mouse", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manual" ]
[ "Why are the mice building the maze?" ]
Let's just go with the open floor plan.
scene: a home description: Mice are working together to construct a maze. They are going over the blueprints of the maze. uncanny: Mice do not set up mazes, humans do for mice to follow. entities: Mouse, Manual. caption: Let's just go with the open floor plan.
The intelligence of mice is tested in labs using mazes with lots of walls. But if the mice could build the maze themselves (as depicted), they might choose to put up no walls ("open floor plan") and go straight for the prize. It's funny to let them build it themselves because it defeats the purpose of the experiment.
59
f5b7ca103eb58e4c33943e81f1f44e28
319
a field
Two snakes are in a grassy field side by side. One snake appear to have a human ass on its back.
It's unusual to see snakes with human features
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snake", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buttocks" ]
[ "Why is there a snake with a human ass attached?" ]
I don't like the way Adam looks at you.
scene: a field description: Two snakes are in a grassy field side by side. One snake appear to have a human ass on its back. uncanny: It's unusual to see snakes with human features entities: Snake, Buttocks. caption: I don't like the way Adam looks at you.
These are a snake couple that live in eden, and the female snake has a human butt. This feature apparently makes the male snake jealous because the human Adam is purportedly attracted to the part-human snake.
37
718a3fdd0347ca859d93290a4e990f9a
577
a living room
Two people are sitting on a couch in their living room. There is a man in a hot dog vendor cart nearby.
There is a vendor inside their home.
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ice_cream_van", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Food_booth" ]
[ "What is the vendor doing in there?" ]
Should we try that new place in the corner?
scene: a living room description: Two people are sitting on a couch in their living room. There is a man in a hot dog vendor cart nearby. uncanny: There is a vendor inside their home. entities: Ice_cream_van, Food_booth. caption: Should we try that new place in the corner?
A joke about "on the corner" vs. "in the corner" --- a "new place on the corner" would be a new restaurant that just opened on the corner of a city block. but here, there's a new place "in the corner" of the current room they are sitting in: the out-of-place food truck. It's funny to think how they could have possibly not visited this food truck before, it's literally next to them in their living room.
78
865f2e774a78e9c73cae18343337e000
707
the front door
A man is carrying a giant globe out of the front door. A woman is watching him while in her pajamas.
The man's clothing does not belong in this time period.
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manual_handling_of_loads", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earth" ]
[ "What is going on in this picture?" ]
Next week, I'll move Heaven for you.
scene: the front door description: A man is carrying a giant globe out of the front door. A woman is watching him while in her pajamas. uncanny: The man's clothing does not belong in this time period. entities: Manual_handling_of_loads, Earth. caption: Next week, I'll move Heaven for you.
"I'd move heaven and earth for you" means: "I'd do anything for you". Here, the man is moving earth; in reference to this saying, this implies he will next move heaven for her.
34
8a0a34f771b347aa593d3d1052094b8e
30
the doctor's office
A doctor is with a patient. A detective or mysterious man is behind the doctor.
There is a shady guy behind the doctor. Doctors don't allow these people in the office during consultations.
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detective", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Head_mirror" ]
[ "Why is there a shady looking guy behind the doctor?" ]
Good news! We have a solid lead on who stole your liver.
scene: the doctor's office description: A doctor is with a patient. A detective or mysterious man is behind the doctor. uncanny: There is a shady guy behind the doctor. Doctors don't allow these people in the office during consultations. entities: Detective, Head_mirror. caption: Good news! We have a solid lead on who stole your liver.
If a doctor and a private investigator were to team up, they might be trying to solve the unusual crime of who stole their patient/client's liver. It's an unusual combination of professions that don't usually interact, and funny because, if someone's liver were really stolen (also quite unusual, perhaps impossible), they might make for a good team.
58
683f8351d5f57a307b4abe793191b02c
346
heavan
Four angels are sitting on clouds and one angel is flying above them. They are all looking at another angel standing on a platform that reads "vote for" and he's talking into a microphone. None of the angels listening to the man seem to be very happy.
It's unusual to think of angels having elections where they have to campaign using devices like a microphone and elevated platforms.
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Election", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angel" ]
[ "What type of elections would angels have?" ]
I just don't care that much about Medicare anymore.
scene: heavan description: Four angels are sitting on clouds and one angel is flying above them. They are all looking at another angel standing on a platform that reads "vote for" and he's talking into a microphone. None of the angels listening to the man seem to be very happy. uncanny: It's unusual to think of angels having elections where they have to campaign using devices like a microphone and elevated platforms. entities: Election, Angel. caption: I just don't care that much about Medicare anymore.
US politicians constantly argue about whether or not the government should provide healthcare (medicare) or not --- the debate has been going on for decades, so long, that the utility of the debate for this politician is no longer. He has literally died and gone to heaven, and while he's still doing political campaigns, the issue isn't as pressing post-death because healthcare isn't needed for those who have already died.
71
f9632e626d0a14e4f4d1a5822802a6d9
570
a park
Two men are sitting on a park bench. One has a book, and the other is covered in birds.
Birds don't normally come that close to humans.
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbidae", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bird_feeding" ]
[ "Why are the birds on him?" ]
Shall I keep reading?
scene: a park description: Two men are sitting on a park bench. One has a book, and the other is covered in birds. uncanny: Birds don't normally come that close to humans. entities: Columbidae, Bird_feeding. caption: Shall I keep reading?
A joke about a man who has spent too long reading to someone --- he's read to them so much that they've literally died, perhaps of boredom, and their body is being eaten by birds. An over-exaggeration of the feeling of boredom one might experience if someone was reading something to them that they don't care about. It's funny because the man reading doesn't seem to realize that he's literally killed the other person of boredom, and offers to keep reading even after their death.
86
c7f2363a6d7ac24e7fcf2d881ab05783
678
the hills
Two giraffes are outside talking. Their necks are all tangled together.
Giraffes don't get tangled up like that.
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giraffe", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neck" ]
[ "How did this happen to them?" ]
I always knew we'd wind up together.
scene: the hills description: Two giraffes are outside talking. Their necks are all tangled together. uncanny: Giraffes don't get tangled up like that. entities: Giraffe, Neck. caption: I always knew we'd wind up together.
A play on the phrase "wind up together," which is usually a figurative expression to describe two lovers who get married, but did so without an intentional plan. Here, however, the two giraffes have their necks literally wound together.
40
688db2e53bf5c5f92c10ca0985d3dab6
312
the zoo
There is a lion in a cage at a zoo who is laying down with arms crossed staring through the bars at another lion standing straight up wearing a suit with slicked back hair. The lion in the suit also has his arms crossed and is looking back at the lion in the cage and is talking.
It is unusual for a lion to be standing and wearing clothes like a human being.
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domestication", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lion", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthropomorphism" ]
[ "Why is the lion standing and wearing clothes?", "What is the lion in the suit saying to the lion in the cage?" ]
I wish I could help you, but I'm a real-estate lawyer.
scene: the zoo description: There is a lion in a cage at a zoo who is laying down with arms crossed staring through the bars at another lion standing straight up wearing a suit with slicked back hair. The lion in the suit also has his arms crossed and is looking back at the lion in the cage and is talking. uncanny: It is unusual for a lion to be standing and wearing clothes like a human being. entities: Domestication, Lion, Anthropomorphism. caption: I wish I could help you, but I'm a real-estate lawyer.
A re-framing of a zoo as a prison. Zoos have lions in cages, but in this universe, lions also can be patrons of the zoo, including this lion in a suit who is apparently a real-estate lawyer. To get the imprisoned lion out, he might be seeking a criminal lion lawyer.
52
d3c7f074bf7a2800b8155dc682666832
59
Office
There is a man sitting at a desk in an office. He is talking on the phone. There is a clock, plant, and picture in the background.
The clock has all kinds of crazy symbols on it.
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clock", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Businessperson" ]
[ "What is the meaning of the clock?" ]
The hours here are obscene.
scene: Office description: There is a man sitting at a desk in an office. He is talking on the phone. There is a clock, plant, and picture in the background. uncanny: The clock has all kinds of crazy symbols on it. entities: Clock, Businessperson. caption: The hours here are obscene.
Swear words are often visually represented by a mix of various punctuation marks: in this case, the clock contains a lot of punctuation, which makes the hours literally obscene. "Obscene hours" would usually mean a job that requires very long or unusual hours.
44
0eb61e95dbb2e90db60dc03c411aa11e
179
the doctor's office
There is a man in a doctors uniform standing next to another man who is wearing a patient's gown and is sitting on a patients table. The doctor has his leg, both hands and head wrapped up in gauze. The doctor is talking to the patient.
It is unusual that the doctor is the one who is all bandaged up and not the patient.
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Role_reversal", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Injury" ]
[ "Why is the doctor in bandages?", "What is the doctor saying to the patient?" ]
So a doctor walks into a bar—this is not a joke by the way.
scene: the doctor's office description: There is a man in a doctors uniform standing next to another man who is wearing a patient's gown and is sitting on a patients table. The doctor has his leg, both hands and head wrapped up in gauze. The doctor is talking to the patient. uncanny: It is unusual that the doctor is the one who is all bandaged up and not the patient. entities: Role_reversal, Injury. caption: So a doctor walks into a bar—this is not a joke by the way.
"So a doctor walks into a bar" is often the beginning of a bar joke --- but here, the doctor is physically injured and telling his patient about it. We can deduce that the doctor must have walked into a literal physical bar of some kind, and experienced these injuries as a result.
54
a5b2b285e490a716943c9a23e5b75688
583
the front desk
There is a man and woman in office attire walking through the lobby of a building with other office workers in the background. The man is talking to the woman while they both watch another office worker to the far right side with his hands and head locked up in a stockade.
it is unusual for an office worker to be locked up in a stockade in a lobby setting.
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physical_restraint", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White-collar_worker" ]
[ "Why is the office worker locked up in a stockade in a lobby?", "What is the man saying to the woman?" ]
It was a very hostile takeover.
scene: the front desk description: There is a man and woman in office attire walking through the lobby of a building with other office workers in the background. The man is talking to the woman while they both watch another office worker to the far right side with his hands and head locked up in a stockade. uncanny: it is unusual for an office worker to be locked up in a stockade in a lobby setting. entities: Physical_restraint, White-collar_worker. caption: It was a very hostile takeover.
A hostile takeover in the business world happens when a company attempts to acquire another against the boards wishes. But here, the hostility of the takeover is literal and exaggerated: the old board members are put in the pillory as a form of public humiliation, in addition to having their company taken over.
54
aec08ac40c234288a8cb94406c4cff73
324
a sidewalk
Two businessmen are walking down the street. One has horns like a demon.
There is a demon man walking the street.
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthropomorphism", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goat" ]
[ "Why does he have horns?" ]
The goatee looked dumb on its own.
scene: a sidewalk description: Two businessmen are walking down the street. One has horns like a demon. uncanny: There is a demon man walking the street. entities: Anthropomorphism, Goat. caption: The goatee looked dumb on its own.
A joke about the word "goatee" --- a goatee refers to a cut of facial hair that combines a mustache with a chin beard. While the word "goatee" doesn't usually relate to the goat animal directly, this man has turned other parts of his body more goat like, including his goat legs and horns, because apparently without these other goat-like characteristics, he thought that the goatee looked weird on its own.
72
d7ee5b6babe83b274f12cfa92debbf77
412
an island
A dominatrix is on a small island with a clown. The clown is staring at her. The woman has a whip.
A dominatrix is on an island with a clown. Those two do not mix since one is adult oriented and one is for children.
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clown", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominatrix" ]
[ "Why is a dominatrix on an island with a clown?" ]
Can't I just laugh till it hurts?
scene: an island description: A dominatrix is on a small island with a clown. The clown is staring at her. The woman has a whip. uncanny: A dominatrix is on an island with a clown. Those two do not mix since one is adult oriented and one is for children. entities: Clown, Dominatrix. caption: Can't I just laugh till it hurts?
A dominatrix is a person who consensually inflicts pain on people who have a particular fetish for experiencing pain. Here, the clown does not have that fetish for physical pain, and instead, is asking if he can laugh until it hurts, instead of undertaking the usual physical pain from the dominatrix, e.g., being whipped. It's funny because of the juxtaposition of physical pain and laughing pain.
67
e6ea8aaaf6cff41aca9b6256987e9959
418
a living room
A couple is sitting on a couch that looks like a monster. They are watching TV and talking.
The couch has a monster face on it. It looks like it wants to eat them.
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monster", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Couch" ]
[ "Why is the couch a monster?" ]
You bought the sofa, you find the remote.
scene: a living room description: A couple is sitting on a couch that looks like a monster. They are watching TV and talking. uncanny: The couch has a monster face on it. It looks like it wants to eat them. entities: Monster, Couch. caption: You bought the sofa, you find the remote.
It's a common occurrence that a TV remote gets lost in the sofa, and one must find it to change the channel. But here, the sofa is scary and dangerous monster. The wife is telling the husband that it's his job to find the lost remote in the sofa, which would be a risky job considering, e.g., if you reached your arm into this couch it might bite it off.
71
c30ac5e8ad9eeea36d3737b7c9e0d41d
331
road
A car is driving down the road. A UFO is shining a light on it while following.
There is a UFO.
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ufo", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alien_abduction" ]
[ "What do the aliens want with the car?" ]
When they said, "Take us to your leader." I don't think they meant your mother's house.
scene: road description: A car is driving down the road. A UFO is shining a light on it while following. uncanny: There is a UFO. entities: Ufo, Alien_abduction. caption: When they said, "Take us to your leader." I don't think they meant your mother's house.
This is a joke about in-laws. Pop culture depictions of aliens often have them requesting that the first humans they make contact with take them to the leaders of humanity. The woman is driving them to her mother's house, and the man, who feels stifled by his mother-in-law, is reminding his wife that her mom isn't their all-powerful leader. It's funny that this benign concern is on his mind in light of the fact that a giant spaceship is tailing them.
82
f6384fa3fc96b2a2926414bce09f72ac
178
a bar
There is a prisoner in a bar who just escaped from jail. There is a hole in the floor and shovel on the ground.
There is a prisoner in a bar that just escaped jail. The bartender doesn't seem to care.
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prisoner", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prison_escape" ]
[ "Why is there a prisoner in a bar after just escaping jail when he could easily be caught?" ]
If anybody calls, I'm not here.
scene: a bar description: There is a prisoner in a bar who just escaped from jail. There is a hole in the floor and shovel on the ground. uncanny: There is a prisoner in a bar that just escaped jail. The bartender doesn't seem to care. entities: Prisoner, Prison_escape. caption: If anybody calls, I'm not here.
People are often bashful about being caught at their local bar drinking when they should be elsewhere, e.g., with their families. Sometimes people looking for bar regulars will call and ask if the person they are looking for is at the bar. But --- here, the person is an escaped prisoner, and the person calling would be the guard looking for him, so he has extra incentive to not be found.
72
9b5bf6d417bd1f6add116c6d386d8e59
692
a tailor
A wold tries on the skin of a variety of animals. There is a clothing store employee who is happy to help the wolf.
It is unusual for a wolf to try on different skins of animals.
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolf_in_sheep%27s_clothing", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skin" ]
[ "Why is the wold trying different skins of animals?" ]
I'll take this and the granny dress.
scene: a tailor description: A wold tries on the skin of a variety of animals. There is a clothing store employee who is happy to help the wolf. uncanny: It is unusual for a wolf to try on different skins of animals. entities: Wolf_in_sheep%27s_clothing, Skin. caption: I'll take this and the granny dress.
A reference to the wolf from Little Red Riding Hood. A "wolf in sheeps clothing," as depicted, is an idiom meaning a nefarious actor who appears innocent: here the wolf is the same (also nefarious) wolf as in Little Red Riding Hood: who kills a grandmother and wears her clothes as a disguise.
54
b647b48153532931e006fe89a46566df
153
office
Three businessmen are in an office. There are dancers doing a routine in the background.
A line of dancers are in a place of business.
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Can-can", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supervisor" ]
[ "What are the dancers doing there?" ]
I know you have the law and the facts on your side, but I'm going with the dancing girls on this one.
scene: office description: Three businessmen are in an office. There are dancers doing a routine in the background. uncanny: A line of dancers are in a place of business. entities: Can-can, Supervisor. caption: I know you have the law and the facts on your side, but I'm going with the dancing girls on this one.
Judges are supposed to be impartial, but this judge sides with the showiness of the dancers rather than the boring (but correct) lawyer. This is an exaggeration of a concern of the judicial system: that the facts of a case may matter less than a lawyer's presentation.
48
1a0dce7f0cedb1447d2c516eb6c6cc92
220
a doctor's office
A doctor is standing in an examination room. Someone is making a shadow puppet of a bunny on the wall.
This is odd behavior for a doctor's office.
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physician", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shadow_play" ]
[ "Who is making the shadow?" ]
So, for the record, are you a duck or a rabbit?
scene: a doctor's office description: A doctor is standing in an examination room. Someone is making a shadow puppet of a bunny on the wall. uncanny: This is odd behavior for a doctor's office. entities: Physician, Shadow_play. caption: So, for the record, are you a duck or a rabbit?
A shadows make a reference to a popular optical illusion depicting both a duck and a rabbit: the doctor is asking a biological question to prescribe the best care, but can't tell if he should be treating a duck or a rabbit.
43
cc0565f3aa94dbd02d5304157e0032e3
624
a cemetery
In this scene we see both above ground and underground levels of a cemetery. Above ground we see headstones and below we see two coffins. One contains a normal looking man in a suit with his arms spread out and the other has a skeleton who is looking towards the man and waving at him.
It is unusual for a skeleton to be able to wave or move at all.
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Premature_burial", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skeleton" ]
[ "Why is the skeleton waving at the newly dead man in the suit?" ]
'Til death do us part" was the agreement, Susan.
scene: a cemetery description: In this scene we see both above ground and underground levels of a cemetery. Above ground we see headstones and below we see two coffins. One contains a normal looking man in a suit with his arms spread out and the other has a skeleton who is looking towards the man and waving at him. uncanny: It is unusual for a skeleton to be able to wave or move at all. entities: Premature_burial, Skeleton. caption: 'Til death do us part" was the agreement, Susan.
A joke about wedding vows --- the man apparently was excited to get some alone time from his spouse after they have both died; this accords with their common wedding vow "til death do us part." But, death has not done them part, and the wife (skeleton) still wants to be with the husband, even though he didn't agree to anything post-death.
63
36b3eab900748a7242af03dcbd8ffb20
327
a swimming pool
A huge sea dragon is in the pool. A couple is relaxing in the pool and on the side.
There is a sea dragon in the pool. They are imaginary and usually would be in oceans in fables.
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragon", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leisure" ]
[ "Why is there a sea dragon in the pool?" ]
Your tattoo escaped.
scene: a swimming pool description: A huge sea dragon is in the pool. A couple is relaxing in the pool and on the side. uncanny: There is a sea dragon in the pool. They are imaginary and usually would be in oceans in fables. entities: Dragon, Leisure. caption: Your tattoo escaped.
A surreal joke about a tattoo coming to life. People sometimes get dragon tattoos --- if such tattoos could come to life, that would offer a reasonable explanation for how this enormous dragon could be in this pool. The nonchalance of the statement makes it funnier --- as if tattoos escaping like this happens often.
56
61c4dfb95e83d841f724121e07994a3e
723
a music studio
Cats and dogs are recording and playing some music in a music booth. There are sound engineers working the controls outside of the booth.
Cats and dogs do not play and record music
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cat", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog" ]
[ "Why are the cats and dogs playing music?" ]
We should be able to finish the album today, as long as no one rings the doorbell.
scene: a music studio description: Cats and dogs are recording and playing some music in a music booth. There are sound engineers working the controls outside of the booth. uncanny: Cats and dogs do not play and record music entities: Cat, Dog. caption: We should be able to finish the album today, as long as no one rings the doorbell.
When a doorbell rings, its common for dogs to become startled, stop everything they are doing, and bark loudly: in this case, that would set a chain reaction of havoc off -- the cats would become scared of the barking and run away, etc. The recording people are confident that this is the only thing that could foil their odd plan to record this pet-band playing music.
68
3f0a016221a512c257b7178e4a5d65a1
549
an office room
Two people are in stray jackets. They are in an office meeting type of setting.
People wear nice work clothes when meeting in the office and not stray jackets.
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Straitjacket", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interview" ]
[ "Why are they wearing stray jackets?" ]
I have some good news—we're letting you go.
scene: an office room description: Two people are in stray jackets. They are in an office meeting type of setting. uncanny: People wear nice work clothes when meeting in the office and not stray jackets. entities: Straitjacket, Interview. caption: I have some good news—we're letting you go.
A play on the words "letting you go" -- normally, if your boss was to "let you go" it would be bad news, because they would be firing you. In this context, "letting you go" means removing you from your straight jacket, which would be good news. Because the boss also has a straitjackets, the employee might be getting fired from this company where everyone wears straitjackets, but that would still be good news because this is a terrible workplace.
81
1402f01eea218d3d146abf312c7dbfbe
351
subway
A farmer has a bunch of sheep with him at a subway station. He looks to be trying to herd them onto a subway car as others exit.
Farmers aren't usually found doing their job in big cities, and I don't believe animals are allowed on the subway.
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shepherd", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flock" ]
[ "Why is the farmer in the city in the first place?", "Why is he trying to get sheep onto the car?" ]
Come on! Do you have any idea how long it took to get through the turnstiles?
scene: subway description: A farmer has a bunch of sheep with him at a subway station. He looks to be trying to herd them onto a subway car as others exit. uncanny: Farmers aren't usually found doing their job in big cities, and I don't believe animals are allowed on the subway. entities: Shepherd, Flock. caption: Come on! Do you have any idea how long it took to get through the turnstiles?
The shepherd is trying very hard to get his sheep onto the subway, even going so far as to painstakingly get each sheep through the ticketing turnstiles at the station entrance. Now he's encountered another difficulty: the overcrowded subway car he can't fit on, and he's quite exacerbated at this point. It's funny, in part, because despite his drive to get the sheep on the subway, it's unclear why he has the sheep there in the first place.
79
d32523fd13d073052b1329b2be7693b3
650
a psychiatry office
A huge weight is on the man on the sofa. A therapist is talking to him. The man is upset.
There is a huge weight on the man. In real life, it would kill him.
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weight", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Therapy" ]
[ "Why is there a huge weight on the man?" ]
I wish you'd come in when it was just a chip on your shoulder.
scene: a psychiatry office description: A huge weight is on the man on the sofa. A therapist is talking to him. The man is upset. uncanny: There is a huge weight on the man. In real life, it would kill him. entities: Weight, Therapy. caption: I wish you'd come in when it was just a chip on your shoulder.
A "weight on your chest" and a "chip on your shoulder" are both figurative expressions that refer to problems or stresses that people silently bear. While not usually directly compared, a literal "weight on your chest" (pictured) is apparently more difficult to deal with because its heaver, and the "chip" can become the "weight" if left unaddressed.
58
8bf8896b5afb80a7f00d0af8e6fc2b99
606
in the sky
A hitchhiker is on a cloud. Two pilots in a plane stare at him as they pass.
There is a hitchhiker on a cloud. You can't stand on clouds.
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airplane", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hitchhiking" ]
[ "Why is there a hitchhiker in the sky?" ]
He's always had his head in the clouds, but THIS ???
scene: in the sky description: A hitchhiker is on a cloud. Two pilots in a plane stare at him as they pass. uncanny: There is a hitchhiker on a cloud. You can't stand on clouds. entities: Airplane, Hitchhiking. caption: He's always had his head in the clouds, but THIS ???
A play on the term "head in the clouds" --- usually, this is a figurative expression to describe a dreamer, an absent minded person, etc. But here, the person outside the plane not only is absent minded, but also, literally has his heads in the clouds by virtue of standing on a cloud at cruising altitude for the plane.
60
4fe04f2af8a2960a20a537d65a527b19
58
cubicle
A man and his wife are in bed. Cubicles surround them.
People are sleeping in the office.
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overwork", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sleep" ]
[ "Why are there cubicles?" ]
Try counting rats.
scene: cubicle description: A man and his wife are in bed. Cubicles surround them. uncanny: People are sleeping in the office. entities: Overwork, Sleep. caption: Try counting rats.
A reference to the phrase "rat race", which is shorthand for hard, soul-sucking work that often takes place in cubicles. The person is having trouble falling asleep in the office, so instead of counting sheep (a usual strategy for falling asleep), she suggests he should count rats in the figurative rat race around him.
55
799d71475054625c951f531a2afc1107
365
a police station
A group of men in expensive clothing, implied to be mafia bosses, are hunched around a table lit by a single light. A police officer in motorcycle gear is on top of a horse in a suit and wearing sunglasses.
It's unusual for a cop to wear motorcycle gear when riding a horse. It's uncanny for a horse to wear a jacket and tie, as well as sunglasses. Additionally, police officers are seldom invited to secret criminal underground meetings.
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interrogation", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mounted_police" ]
[ "Why is the horse wearing sunglasses in a dark room?", "Do the men know there's a horse at the table?" ]
I smell a horse.
scene: a police station description: A group of men in expensive clothing, implied to be mafia bosses, are hunched around a table lit by a single light. A police officer in motorcycle gear is on top of a horse in a suit and wearing sunglasses. uncanny: It's unusual for a cop to wear motorcycle gear when riding a horse. It's uncanny for a horse to wear a jacket and tie, as well as sunglasses. Additionally, police officers are seldom invited to secret criminal underground meetings. entities: Interrogation, Mounted_police. caption: I smell a horse.
A play on the phrase "I smell a rat" --- a "rat" in the figurative mobster context refers to a police informant that has infiltrated the group. Instead of a figurative rat, here, the mob boss smells a literal horse, which is behind him. Humorously, the horse (whose disguise is only a pair of sunglasses) is indeed a figurative rat, because it's affiliated with the police --- there's a cop overtly riding on it, and it's wearing a police outfit.
81
78e4f8c0c9ea4f0ed05d28aed2558796
755
a cave dwelling
A woman is sitting down in a cave. A caveman is confronting her.
There is a modern woman and furniture in prehistoric times.
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caveman", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coffeehouse" ]
[ "Did the woman time travel?" ]
If you're so civilized, why don't you use a coaster?
scene: a cave dwelling description: A woman is sitting down in a cave. A caveman is confronting her. uncanny: There is a modern woman and furniture in prehistoric times. entities: Caveman, Coffeehouse. caption: If you're so civilized, why don't you use a coaster?
The woman from modern times is looking at the primitive caveman: the caveman doesn't want to be looked down upon, and so argues that the modern woman is actually not so modern for a benign reason: that she's not using a coaster for her mug (which is seen as a civilized/polite thing to do).
55
c28fa60b0838a97e01efe237b31ceced
620
heaven
Angels are gathered and watching another angel try to hit an Earth piñata. The angel is blindfolded and holding a bat.
Angels are playing a game and playing piñata with the Earth, which seems a bit harsh.
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earth%27s_rotation", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pi%C3%B1ata", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angel" ]
[ "Why is the angel trying to hit the globe like a piñata?" ]
It's not the end of the world if he misses.
scene: heaven description: Angels are gathered and watching another angel try to hit an Earth piñata. The angel is blindfolded and holding a bat. uncanny: Angels are playing a game and playing piñata with the Earth, which seems a bit harsh. entities: Earth%27s_rotation, Pi%C3%B1ata, Angel. caption: It's not the end of the world if he misses.
A play on the term "not the end of the world". People will sometimes say that, if an event went wrong, it isn't the "end of the world" i.e., it's not that big of a deal. But here, it literally might be the end of the world if the angel hit the earth pinata --- i.e., if this supernatural being hit the earth with a baseball bat, it would probably cause billions of deaths and the end of the world. But if he misses, it is literally not the end of the world.
94
aa732f19d60f2286952d3ca6210d3149
526
heaven
A female angel is listening to a male angel talk. Her halo is normal sized, while the man's is at least 4 times larger than hers. They are both surrounded by clouds.
It's unusual to see a halo that is as large as that of the male angel's. Additionally, angels aren't typically depicted with looks of longing as seen on the female's face.
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angel", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halo_(religious_iconography)", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egotism" ]
[ "Why is the male angel's halo so large?", "Does the female want to hook up with the egotistical male angel?" ]
I let my mother-in-law move in with us.
scene: heaven description: A female angel is listening to a male angel talk. Her halo is normal sized, while the man's is at least 4 times larger than hers. They are both surrounded by clouds. uncanny: It's unusual to see a halo that is as large as that of the male angel's. Additionally, angels aren't typically depicted with looks of longing as seen on the female's face. entities: Angel, Halo_(religious_iconography), Egotism. caption: I let my mother-in-law move in with us.
There's a trope that an angel might be given a big halo in heaven after they die if they did a particularly selfless act in their life. Here, the above-and-beyond act was letting a mother-in-law live with him and his partner. In general, having a partner's parents move in is very hard, because the in-law may interfere with the couple's independent, day-to-day romantic relationship, and so agreeing to this is a huge sacrifice. It's funny in part because this isn't the biggest possible sacrifice in life, but is under-rated as a selfless act.
94
6953debd31bc7206633cbdb1bb26b9e7
687
a building
Two people are in a bar having drinks. There is an enormous head behind the counter.
The bartender has an enormous head.
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giant", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liquor" ]
[ "Why is his head so big?" ]
How much did you spend at Macy's this year?
scene: a building description: Two people are in a bar having drinks. There is an enormous head behind the counter. uncanny: The bartender has an enormous head. entities: Giant, Liquor. caption: How much did you spend at Macy's this year?
A reference to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, an annual event in New York City with large balloons. Here, the balloon in the parade looks like the man at the table: the joke is that Macy's constructed a balloon in honor of the man, presumably because he was a very good customer who spent a lot of money at the store.
62
acf2bb460573bc441e4b69a0224355a8
443
a bowling rink
Two construction workers are staring at a bowling alley. They are about to demolish it. The ball is aimed toward the pins.
There are huge bowling pins on the building lined up like at a bowling alley.
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wrecking_ball", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bowling" ]
[ "Why are the bowling pins so huge?" ]
Remember that domino factory?
scene: a bowling rink description: Two construction workers are staring at a bowling alley. They are about to demolish it. The ball is aimed toward the pins. uncanny: There are huge bowling pins on the building lined up like at a bowling alley. entities: Wrecking_ball, Bowling. caption: Remember that domino factory?
A joke about an unusual construction company which demolishes buildings that have humorous interactions with the wrecking ball. Here, the wrecking ball is similar to a bowling ball knocking over the pins, and the workers are discussing the previous jobs. Like bowling pins, dominos are also knocked down after being arranged, and the wrecking ball accordingly played the same role at the domino factory.
65
933d87290fb1430d89f118b3994a483f
705
a desert
There are two cowboys on horses in the desert. One cowboy is talking while the other watches him. In the foreground there are remnants of a campsite with a fire still burning next to a cappuccino machine, coffee cups and pitcher.
It is unusual for anyone who is camping to bring a large cappuccino machine.
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cowboy", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camping" ]
[ "Who brought the cappuccino machine?", "What is the cowboy saying?" ]
Decaf. They can't be far away.
scene: a desert description: There are two cowboys on horses in the desert. One cowboy is talking while the other watches him. In the foreground there are remnants of a campsite with a fire still burning next to a cappuccino machine, coffee cups and pitcher. uncanny: It is unusual for anyone who is camping to bring a large cappuccino machine. entities: Cowboy, Camping. caption: Decaf. They can't be far away.
A joke about the impact of caffeine. The two wild-west police officers have encountered the previous night's hide-out of the criminals, but because the criminals drank decaffeinated coffee instead of caffeinated, they likely have less energy to be on the run because caffeine energizes people. So: because they drank decaf, they aren't as far as if they had caffeniated.
60
d8a98e2cb19df3f0c91d3620eb8c36af
104
a streetcorner
On a street corner, it is very cloudy or foggy. Two angels are sitting down against a building while the police drive by in a squad car.
There are two angels slumped over in an alley.
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heaven", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_intoxication", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angel" ]
[ "Are the angels drunk?" ]
Except here it's always good cop, good cop.
scene: a streetcorner description: On a street corner, it is very cloudy or foggy. Two angels are sitting down against a building while the police drive by in a squad car. uncanny: There are two angels slumped over in an alley. entities: Heaven, Public_intoxication, Angel. caption: Except here it's always good cop, good cop.
A play on the phrase "good cop, bad cop" --- two homeless angels are loitering in heaven as two angel cops come by. Instead of the usual "good cop, bad cop" routine where one officer pretends to be nice and the other is mean as a strategy to get a confession, in heaven apparently all cops are good, so it's "good cop, good cop".
65
74457a765a1d2ff0bf00fbcfd90f56b9
589
restaurant
A man is sitting in a restaurant with a menu that is twice his size and looking towards the waiter who is standing next to him with a smile on his face. Man appears to be bit confused.
The size of menu the man is holding is the unusual element.
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menu", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waiting_staff" ]
[ "Why is the menu book that large?" ]
It's a lot to digest.
scene: restaurant description: A man is sitting in a restaurant with a menu that is twice his size and looking towards the waiter who is standing next to him with a smile on his face. Man appears to be bit confused. uncanny: The size of menu the man is holding is the unusual element. entities: Menu, Waiting_staff. caption: It's a lot to digest.
"To digest" can mean to mentally ponder, or it can literally mean to digest food. In this case, it's both: the large menu is a lot to mentally process, but also, if all the food was ordered, it would be a lot to literally digest all of the items.
50
12ddc2f835763c93ec9237cfde3823ea
738
backyard
A man is raking his lawn. He is watching a UFO piloted by two aliens beam up piles of leaves into it.
One would not normally expect to see a UFO. In particular, it's highly unusual for UFOs to abduct leaves, as most UFO-related stories involve people being taken by the UFO
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alien_abduction", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raking" ]
[ "Why is the UFO taking the leaves?" ]
Can't wait to see the look on his face when we put these back on the tree.
scene: backyard description: A man is raking his lawn. He is watching a UFO piloted by two aliens beam up piles of leaves into it. uncanny: One would not normally expect to see a UFO. In particular, it's highly unusual for UFOs to abduct leaves, as most UFO-related stories involve people being taken by the UFO entities: Alien_abduction, Raking. caption: Can't wait to see the look on his face when we put these back on the tree.
Aliens are often portrayed as all-powerful beings who have technology far beyond human capacity. These aliens have the capacity to beam up leaves to their spaceship, and even to put them back onto the tree as if they never fell. While they have amazing technology, they still indulge in the low-class activity of pranks, which is surprising.
58
56ed7752ae742ec6dbdaf922b6e558d9
72
outside a building
There is a man in office attire using a long stick to walk a tightrope which is connected to an office building. At the end of the rope there is another man talking to the tightrope walker from the building's window.
It is unusual for an office worker to be walking a tightrope.
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tightrope_walking", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Employment#Employee" ]
[ "Why is the office worker walking a tightrope?", "What is the man in the window saying?" ]
And make mine a decaf.
scene: outside a building description: There is a man in office attire using a long stick to walk a tightrope which is connected to an office building. At the end of the rope there is another man talking to the tightrope walker from the building's window. uncanny: It is unusual for an office worker to be walking a tightrope. entities: Tightrope_walking, Employment#Employee. caption: And make mine a decaf.
This joke is about how thankless internships can be. Interns are often tasked with thankless, difficult jobs. In this case, the intern is not only getting specific coffee orders for the business, but also (in an exaggerated fashion) doing the extremely dangerous tightrope walk.
45
b7f7279c769b340074b7ea4b3f55502b
719
the city
A woman is showing a couple some houses. This house looks like two washing machines stacked on top of each other.
There are apartments or houses that look like washing machines.
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Building", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washing_machine", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourism" ]
[ "Why does the house/apartment look like a pair of washing machines?" ]
Between you and me, the owner can't unload this fast enough.
scene: the city description: A woman is showing a couple some houses. This house looks like two washing machines stacked on top of each other. uncanny: There are apartments or houses that look like washing machines. entities: Building, Washing_machine, Tourism. caption: Between you and me, the owner can't unload this fast enough.
To "unload" a property would mean to sell it quickly, but the double meaning of "unload" also applies to unloading a washer or drier: it's not clear if the owner wants to sell quickly, or just move the clothes out of the appliances.
44
8a59992a25b69c13f90c5be25130f635
639
Rapunzel's tower
A man lets Repunzel grab onto his hair from the high tower. She looks surprised as the man looks up.
Usually in the fairly tale of Repunzel, it is her who lets down her hair to let the prince climb up to save her.
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rapunzel", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_hair" ]
[ "Why is the prince lending her his hair?" ]
I'm supposed to call my doctor if it lasts more than 4 hours.
scene: Rapunzel's tower description: A man lets Repunzel grab onto his hair from the high tower. She looks surprised as the man looks up. uncanny: Usually in the fairly tale of Repunzel, it is her who lets down her hair to let the prince climb up to save her. entities: Rapunzel, Long_hair. caption: I'm supposed to call my doctor if it lasts more than 4 hours.
A crude joke about erections. People with erectile dysfunction will sometimes take medication to help, but are told that if the medicine works for longer than 4 hours, it's a problem. But here, while Rapunzel is usually the person lowering her hair, the prince tried to resolve their problem by taking medication to grow his own hair instead.
59
aefb1f27051a8b4faed080537038e1e8
158
the beach
Everyone except one person is up to their neck in sand. They all look up at the man above ground as he looks down sadly at them.
It is weird to have so many people be buried up to their neck in sand.
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sand", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burial" ]
[ "Why are the people buried in sand?" ]
Run! The kid with the little red shovel is coming back!
scene: the beach description: Everyone except one person is up to their neck in sand. They all look up at the man above ground as he looks down sadly at them. uncanny: It is weird to have so many people be buried up to their neck in sand. entities: Sand, Burial. caption: Run! The kid with the little red shovel is coming back!
The people in the ground are trapped and warning the man who only has his feet buried to escape. The all-powerful imprisoner is not pictured, but the little kid who owns the shovel in the backgorund. The implication is that the kid buried them all and they can't escape now, which is funny.
54
b0b026ad9585ac650b941821df2505b4
589
a restaurant
A man is sitting at the table in a restaurant reading a menu. A waiter is chatting with him and getting his order.
The menu is gigantic.
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menu", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waiting_staff" ]
[ "Why is the menu so big?" ]
It's a lot to digest.
scene: a restaurant description: A man is sitting at the table in a restaurant reading a menu. A waiter is chatting with him and getting his order. uncanny: The menu is gigantic. entities: Menu, Waiting_staff. caption: It's a lot to digest.
"To digest" can mean to mentally ponder, or it can literally mean to digest food. In this case, it's both: the large menu is a lot to mentally process, but also, if all the food was ordered, it would be a lot to literally digest all of the items.
50
0db52888dcb37694335b52047b1a7cad
469
the desert
Two cowboys are meeting in the desert on their horses. One of the horses is mechanical.
A mechanical horse is out of its time period.
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horse", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machine" ]
[ "Why is he on a fake horse?" ]
It’s the new Mustang.
scene: the desert description: Two cowboys are meeting in the desert on their horses. One of the horses is mechanical. uncanny: A mechanical horse is out of its time period. entities: Horse, Machine. caption: It’s the new Mustang.
A play on the term "mustang." A new mustang, in the modern world, refers to the Ford Mustang, which is a type of car. But, mustang is also a type of horse. Here, the cowboy's new mustang is an upgraded type of mechanical horse, which intersects both interpretations.
49
48ecdf0871baf6bbc2d0f04fb4d698cf
728
an island
A man is tanning himself on a deserted island and holding a drink. Another man with a briefcase is there with ripped clothing.
The man is holding a drink despite there being no source of liquid other than sea water.
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sun_tanning", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castaway" ]
[ "How were they trapped on the island?" ]
Thank you for agreeing to meet remotely.
scene: an island description: A man is tanning himself on a deserted island and holding a drink. Another man with a briefcase is there with ripped clothing. uncanny: The man is holding a drink despite there being no source of liquid other than sea water. entities: Sun_tanning, Castaway. caption: Thank you for agreeing to meet remotely.
To "meet remotely" usually means to meet over a video call, but here, "meet remotely" takes on a second meaning: to meet in-person, but in a remote location. The person with the coconut cocktail is organizing the meeting: he more relaxed than his co-worker, suggesting he might not be as dedicated to his job (or is perhaps his boss with less accountability).
63
3405c48b6c0d77e3bcffdbfb1de2c754
638
sidewalk
Two men are standing together on the sidewalk. One of them is being flanked by two drones, who are holding his pants up.
It is an odd use for a drone and an odd way to keep your pants up.
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unmanned_aerial_vehicle", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suspenders" ]
[ "Did this guy think of that himself?" ]
I wear the pants but my wife controls them.
scene: sidewalk description: Two men are standing together on the sidewalk. One of them is being flanked by two drones, who are holding his pants up. uncanny: It is an odd use for a drone and an odd way to keep your pants up. entities: Unmanned_aerial_vehicle, Suspenders. caption: I wear the pants but my wife controls them.
A joke that plays on two marriage tropes: who "wears the pants" in the relationship (i.e., who takes on the traditionally masculine role) and who is really in control (i.e., the trope is that women exert most of the control behind the scenes). But here, these tropes are literal: the man is literally wearing weird pants held up by drones, and the wife is literally controlling the contraption via remote control access of the drones.
76
fbf9ec56b12f95049fee3d4f8c01886d
728
the beach
A man is tanning himself on a deserted island and holding a drink. Another man with a briefcase is there with ripped clothing.
The man is holding a drink despite there being no source of liquid other than sea water.
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coconut", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beach_furniture" ]
[ "How were they trapped on the island?" ]
Thank you for agreeing to meet remotely.
scene: the beach description: A man is tanning himself on a deserted island and holding a drink. Another man with a briefcase is there with ripped clothing. uncanny: The man is holding a drink despite there being no source of liquid other than sea water. entities: Coconut, Beach_furniture. caption: Thank you for agreeing to meet remotely.
To "meet remotely" usually means to meet over a video call, but here, "meet remotely" takes on a second meaning: to meet in-person, but in a remote location. The person with the coconut cocktail is organizing the meeting: he more relaxed than his co-worker, suggesting he might not be as dedicated to his job (or is perhaps his boss with less accountability).
63
17de8f478627b8d7cc2c613fb3f7e116
442
street
Two cars got into an accident. The owners are an angle and the other one is a devil. They are staring at it.
An angel and devil got into a car wreck.
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devil", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angel", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traffic_collision" ]
[ "Why are the people dressed as an angel and devil?" ]
Didn’t you see the light?
scene: street description: Two cars got into an accident. The owners are an angle and the other one is a devil. They are staring at it. uncanny: An angel and devil got into a car wreck. entities: Devil, Angel, Traffic_collision. caption: Didn’t you see the light?
A play on the phrase "see the light". Figuratively, it means to have a revelation about a period of doubt, sometimes in a religious way. Here, satan, a fallen angel of god who sometimes masquerades as a good angel, has not seen the light. But here, he also hasn't seen the literal street light, causing a car crash. The angel is surprised satan didn't see the light in either sense.
71
451cde1b1805ba225f49238806049077
658
a shared workspace
There are people who are working with dogs on the computer. They look at each other in confusion.
Dogs cannot sit up and do human work.
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personal_computer", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthropomorphism", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog" ]
[ "Why are the dogs working with the humans?" ]
Do you want to go for L-U-N-C-H and maybe a W-A-L-K?
scene: a shared workspace description: There are people who are working with dogs on the computer. They look at each other in confusion. uncanny: Dogs cannot sit up and do human work. entities: Personal_computer, Anthropomorphism, Dog. caption: Do you want to go for L-U-N-C-H and maybe a W-A-L-K?
Dogs often learn the word "walk" and get excited if someone says it: so humans disguise the word by spelling it out so they don't recognize it and they don't feel guilty for not taking them on a walk in the moment. Here, the humans want to go to lunch separate from their co-worker dogs, so are spelling out the word lunch to not invite them.
67
bce740be6a1bdd3f8e3821e9505013c0
763
a gas station
In front of a gas station there is a gas station employee holding up a dip stick while talking to a lady. They are both standing in front of a giant hotdog shaped and painted vehicle. The employee is talking while the vehicle owner listens.
It is unusual that a vehicle would have the shape and color of a hotdog.
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wienermobile", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Customer" ]
[ "What is the employee saying?" ]
So, when did the 'check mustard' light come on?
scene: a gas station description: In front of a gas station there is a gas station employee holding up a dip stick while talking to a lady. They are both standing in front of a giant hotdog shaped and painted vehicle. The employee is talking while the vehicle owner listens. uncanny: It is unusual that a vehicle would have the shape and color of a hotdog. entities: Wienermobile, Customer. caption: So, when did the 'check mustard' light come on?
A normal vehicle that breaks down might have the "check engine" light on, which a mechanic might ask about the timeline of. Here, the car is the Wienermobile, which might instead have a "check mustard" light instead. It's funny partly because it's unclear what the check mustard light would indicate about the hot dog repair.
56
abd319545e62df03949c46316ef06a49
539
a cliff
A man is hiking on the side of a cliff. Two hikers watch from above.
You cannot hike down a steep cliff without plummeting to your death.
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_climbing", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walking_stick" ]
[ "How is the man able to stay on the cliff and not fall off?" ]
Let's not mistake his confidence for leadership.
scene: a cliff description: A man is hiking on the side of a cliff. Two hikers watch from above. uncanny: You cannot hike down a steep cliff without plummeting to your death. entities: Rock_climbing, Walking_stick. caption: Let's not mistake his confidence for leadership.
Confidence in action is not the same as competence --- leaders will often confidently make terrible decisions. The hiker walking on the side of the mountain is confidently doing so, but it's a terrible idea for people to do because they will fall off the cliff if they follow. So, the two followers are being prudent to not mistake confidence for high quality leadership, they will probably live as a result.
72
bc6757346c6e3d29b1e87ee288f61bd0
569
a meeting room
A business meeting is going on. One man cannonballs into the meeting. People are staring.
A man is cannonballing into a meeting of people. This is done in a pool, not here.
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannonball_(diving)", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White-collar_worker" ]
[ "Why is the man cannonballing into the people?" ]
Carry on. I'll just be a fly on the wall.
scene: a meeting room description: A business meeting is going on. One man cannonballs into the meeting. People are staring. uncanny: A man is cannonballing into a meeting of people. This is done in a pool, not here. entities: Cannonball_(diving), White-collar_worker. caption: Carry on. I'll just be a fly on the wall.
In the business context, "a fly on the wall" means a participant in a meeting that is simply there to listen-in and not participate. But the "fly on the wall" here is literal --- the man is literally on the wall.
42
7e541f6c8a192360aa68a5abf988c22e
760
a restaurant
Two identical waiters approach a couple sitting at one of the tables of the restaurant. One of them brings the couple a garbage bin.
Waiters serve food not garbage at restaurants.
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waste_container", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waiting_staff" ]
[ "Why is the waiter bringing the couple garbage?" ]
It's curb to table.
scene: a restaurant description: Two identical waiters approach a couple sitting at one of the tables of the restaurant. One of them brings the couple a garbage bin. uncanny: Waiters serve food not garbage at restaurants. entities: Waste_container, Waiting_staff. caption: It's curb to table.
A play on the term "farm to table," which describes restaurants that attempt to source ingredients directly from farms. Here, they are sourcing instead from the curb, specifically, the trash cans on the curb that the waiter is bringing in. It's funny that people would willingly pay for this garbage food, and that the restaurant would proudly advertise their sourcing.
61
5eb082d3ebc986141dbd1e26cd16f9e8
186
mount sinai
Moses is holding up a tablet with Chinese characters on it. People are staring at him.
There are Chinese characters on the tablet (10 Commandments). That is not supposed to be Chinese.
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moses", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Chinese_cuisine" ]
[ "Why are there Chinese characters on the tablet (10 Commandments)?" ]
And for you goats—thou shalt not marry a dragon or ox.
scene: mount sinai description: Moses is holding up a tablet with Chinese characters on it. People are staring at him. uncanny: There are Chinese characters on the tablet (10 Commandments). That is not supposed to be Chinese. entities: Moses, American_Chinese_cuisine. caption: And for you goats—thou shalt not marry a dragon or ox.
A joke about the incompatibility of romantic relationships according to Chinese Zodiac signs. The tablets, written in Chinese, have been passed to Moses as eternal rules, like the ten commandments. But, instead of general, eternal principles like "do not kill", god has humorously commanded that people with particular zodiac signs are incompatible: usually, this sort of thing is seen as just superstition, so it's funny to think god is superstitious.
71
33e2fa2ec5976a1b1c17102acede0282
593
living room
A man calls someone on a corded telephone with a piece of paper knifed to his back. He is calm about what happened to him.
People who have been stabbed do not react this calmly. They are also bleeding and in a lot of pain.
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ninety-five_Theses", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telephone" ]
[ "Why is he so calm after being stabbed in the back?" ]
She left a note. No, I haven't read it yet.
scene: living room description: A man calls someone on a corded telephone with a piece of paper knifed to his back. He is calm about what happened to him. uncanny: People who have been stabbed do not react this calmly. They are also bleeding and in a lot of pain. entities: Ninety-five_Theses, Telephone. caption: She left a note. No, I haven't read it yet.
An angry wife left her husband, and she left a note, presumably detailing her issues with him. This joke takes the anger one step further, instead of simply leaving the note, she literally stabbed him in the back, leaving the note lodged on the knife. It's funny in part because the man is relatively calm about being literally stabbed in the back, talking to his friend on the phone calmly about his partner's departure.
75
d35474134ebbd0835094f10c1a1528f2
457
a galley ship
A man in a suit sits on a bench with two other men with rows of other men sitting behind them. Each row of men are holding on to one long handled oar and have chains on their feet attached to the floor.
It's a well-known image in history of slaves being used to power oars on ships but seeing a man dressed in a modern day style suit in that setting is unusual.
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rowing", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slavery", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Businessperson" ]
[ "Why is the man in a suit there?" ]
Your last job sounds terrible.
scene: a galley ship description: A man in a suit sits on a bench with two other men with rows of other men sitting behind them. Each row of men are holding on to one long handled oar and have chains on their feet attached to the floor. uncanny: It's a well-known image in history of slaves being used to power oars on ships but seeing a man dressed in a modern day style suit in that setting is unusual. entities: Rowing, Slavery, Businessperson. caption: Your last job sounds terrible.
The people rowing the boat are slaves --- their conditions seem dire and their job terrible. But, even the rowers take pity on the businessman, who they judge to have an even more terrible job previously. This surprising conclusion is joke is about how modern jobs are cushy, but might still feel like slavery in some ways (even though they aren't really comparable).
64
f65906f2574f65ee1bd55af2413a942e
606
the sky
Two pilots are navigating a plane through the sky. Another man is standing on a cloud, trying to hitch a ride.
Clouds are not solid and can't be stood on. Hitchhikers are always on the ground, and they can't get that high up in the air.
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airplane", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hitchhiking" ]
[ "Is that hitchhiker real or a hallucination?" ]
He's always had his head in the clouds, but THIS ???
scene: the sky description: Two pilots are navigating a plane through the sky. Another man is standing on a cloud, trying to hitch a ride. uncanny: Clouds are not solid and can't be stood on. Hitchhikers are always on the ground, and they can't get that high up in the air. entities: Airplane, Hitchhiking. caption: He's always had his head in the clouds, but THIS ???
A play on the term "head in the clouds" --- usually, this is a figurative expression to describe a dreamer, an absent minded person, etc. But here, the person outside the plane not only is absent minded, but also, literally has his heads in the clouds by virtue of standing on a cloud at cruising altitude for the plane.
60
2d81c6f9019070cd3dfc96bb4d5a6b79
626
an open plain
a man in shirt and tie is being bucked off a horse. He is happy in midair as he is using a cellphone
it is unusual for someone to ride a horse in a shirt and tie while using a cellphone
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bull_riding", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horse" ]
[ "why is this man in a shirt and tie?" ]
Hi Hon. Can you meet me at the hospital in about ten minutes?
scene: an open plain description: a man in shirt and tie is being bucked off a horse. He is happy in midair as he is using a cellphone uncanny: it is unusual for someone to ride a horse in a shirt and tie while using a cellphone entities: Bull_riding, Horse. caption: Hi Hon. Can you meet me at the hospital in about ten minutes?
The man on the phone is pre-planning his own hospital visit. This is unusual, because one would think that he would be focused on avoiding injury from the currently-occuring situation instead of, in a surprisingly carefree and cheerful manner, telling his friend to meet him at the hospital.
49
26801be4184251cfab1a398675651b9f
384
a boardroom
a monster is outside of an office building. A meeting was taken place and everyone looks shocked besides one man.
Giant monsters do not terrorize office buildings.
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meeting", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yeti" ]
[ "why is there a monster?" ]
I wish they would just go back to tapping our phone lines.
scene: a boardroom description: a monster is outside of an office building. A meeting was taken place and everyone looks shocked besides one man. uncanny: Giant monsters do not terrorize office buildings. entities: Meeting, Yeti. caption: I wish they would just go back to tapping our phone lines.
Governments sometimes tap phone lines (as in: the patriot act). But this goes a step further: instead of just listening in via tapping the phone lines, the government has literally deployed an army of monsters to watch everyone to make sure everyone is behaving.
45
9195e76a0d624be35ffc2b05f4bd73ca
324
an alleyway
A man that is half goat is walking on the sidewalk. People stare as he walks by.
Human beings do not turn into goats.
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Businessperson", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheep" ]
[ "Why is this man a half goat?" ]
The goatee looked dumb on its own.
scene: an alleyway description: A man that is half goat is walking on the sidewalk. People stare as he walks by. uncanny: Human beings do not turn into goats. entities: Businessperson, Sheep. caption: The goatee looked dumb on its own.
A joke about the word "goatee" --- a goatee refers to a cut of facial hair that combines a mustache with a chin beard. While the word "goatee" doesn't usually relate to the goat animal directly, this man has turned other parts of his body more goat like, including his goat legs and horns, because apparently without these other goat-like characteristics, he thought that the goatee looked weird on its own.
72
ddba0bb15901bc8b02c7180df5041012
461
an airport
A crop duster type plane is parked in the runway of the airport. A man approaches a kiosk to speak to someone about tickets.
Crop dusters don't usually get parked in airport runways. They are more used for farming in open areas.
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airline", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago" ]
[ "Why is the crop duster parked in the airport?" ]
It’s only a 12 second flight.
scene: an airport description: A crop duster type plane is parked in the runway of the airport. A man approaches a kiosk to speak to someone about tickets. uncanny: Crop dusters don't usually get parked in airport runways. They are more used for farming in open areas. entities: Airline, Chicago. caption: It’s only a 12 second flight.
The wright brother's plane, depicted at this modern airport, famously first flew for only 12 seconds. The idea that the modern commercial airline would be running this flight for business travelers like the man with the suitcase is funny. Usually short flights are good because you get to your destination faster, but the 12 second flight here won't get the man anywhere.
63
52264c05306a0a87b7a537e3cb194842
246
office meeting
There is an electric chair near a chair full of businesspeople. They are at a meeting.
There is an electric chair in an office. Those belong in prisons.
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_chair", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jury" ]
[ "Why is there an electric chair in an office setting?" ]
And this is our new incentive plan.
scene: office meeting description: There is an electric chair near a chair full of businesspeople. They are at a meeting. uncanny: There is an electric chair in an office. Those belong in prisons. entities: Electric_chair, Jury. caption: And this is our new incentive plan.
An "incentive plan" is usually a type of employee compensation that rewards people financially for meeting specific performance targets. But here, the company can't afford to pay extra, so their incentive plan is the electric chair: the implication is that employees must meet targets or they will simply be killed. A dark but humorous joke about how some companies view their employees as disposable.
65
0c89fb65df1cfbe47ae7ec535546868f
624
a graveyard
In this scene we see both above ground and underground levels of a cemetery. Above ground we see headstones and below we see two coffins. One contains a normal looking man in a suit with his arms spread out and the other has a skeleton who is looking towards the man and waving at him.
It is unusual for a skeleton to be able to wave or move at all.
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coffin", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skeleton", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Headstone" ]
[ "Why is the skeleton waving at the newly dead man in the suit?" ]
'Til death do us part" was the agreement, Susan.
scene: a graveyard description: In this scene we see both above ground and underground levels of a cemetery. Above ground we see headstones and below we see two coffins. One contains a normal looking man in a suit with his arms spread out and the other has a skeleton who is looking towards the man and waving at him. uncanny: It is unusual for a skeleton to be able to wave or move at all. entities: Coffin, Skeleton, Headstone. caption: 'Til death do us part" was the agreement, Susan.
A joke about wedding vows --- the man apparently was excited to get some alone time from his spouse after they have both died; this accords with their common wedding vow "til death do us part." But, death has not done them part, and the wife (skeleton) still wants to be with the husband, even though he didn't agree to anything post-death.
63
86731df9752811e2062d6af1f687dcbd
591
a therapist's office
A man is taking a bath in a tub in a therapist office. The therapist has a brush and is talking to him.
There is a tub in a therapy office. Tubs belong in bathrooms.
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bathtub", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Therapy" ]
[ "Why is there a man in a tub in a therapy office?" ]
I can give you the tools, but you have to do the work yourself.
scene: a therapist's office description: A man is taking a bath in a tub in a therapist office. The therapist has a brush and is talking to him. uncanny: There is a tub in a therapy office. Tubs belong in bathrooms. entities: Bathtub, Therapy. caption: I can give you the tools, but you have to do the work yourself.
A play on the words "tools" and "work". Therapists often ask for emotional buy-in from their clients: there's no passive cure that they can impart, so while they can provide the emotional tools for healing, the patient has to meet them in the middle by doing the emotional work with the tools. But here, the tools and work are literal, not emotional: the literal tools are soap and a brush, and the work is literally scrubbing, which ties together why the patient is in a bath tub.
88
418fa31d7078c0ed15b04741bb427561
593
living room
A man is standing next to the table and calling someone on the phone. Man looks concerned and there is a knife stabbed on this back with couple pieces of paper.
Man taking on the phone with a knife stabbed on this back is unusual.
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ninety-five_Theses", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telephone" ]
[ "Why did someone stab the knife on his back?" ]
She left a note. No, I haven't read it yet.
scene: living room description: A man is standing next to the table and calling someone on the phone. Man looks concerned and there is a knife stabbed on this back with couple pieces of paper. uncanny: Man taking on the phone with a knife stabbed on this back is unusual. entities: Ninety-five_Theses, Telephone. caption: She left a note. No, I haven't read it yet.
An angry wife left her husband, and she left a note, presumably detailing her issues with him. This joke takes the anger one step further, instead of simply leaving the note, she literally stabbed him in the back, leaving the note lodged on the knife. It's funny in part because the man is relatively calm about being literally stabbed in the back, talking to his friend on the phone calmly about his partner's departure.
75
2e3fa5849dc32dd468b6e17a32b11177
513
a workplace
Three men walk with one three handled suitcase together. Its long enough for them all to carry.
A suit case is usually carried by one person not three.
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Briefcase", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Worker_cooperative" ]
[ "Why are they all carrying the same suitcase?" ]
Not now—I'm in the middle of a big case.
scene: a workplace description: Three men walk with one three handled suitcase together. Its long enough for them all to carry. uncanny: A suit case is usually carried by one person not three. entities: Briefcase, Worker_cooperative. caption: Not now—I'm in the middle of a big case.
A play on words: to be "in the middle of a big case" to a lawyer would usually mean that they are busy in the process of litigating an important legal case. But here: the "case" is a literal briefcase, and the lawyer is standing in the middle of it.
51
78800198a3e31a0ce218ed9d6c3f3cec
599
cave
Three cave people are inside of a cave. There is a lizard biting the ankle of one of the men.
Lizards don't typically behave this way.
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dinosaur", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caveman" ]
[ "Why is the lizard biting him?" ]
Somebody carve 911.
scene: cave description: Three cave people are inside of a cave. There is a lizard biting the ankle of one of the men. uncanny: Lizards don't typically behave this way. entities: Dinosaur, Caveman. caption: Somebody carve 911.
The person with the dinosaur attached to their leg is in immediate medical danger due to the bite --- in the modern world, such a dangerous occurrence would be responded to by calling 911 for emergency medical help, but here, there are no telephones, and communication happens instead via carving into walls (though, it's unclear exactly how carving 911 would lead to medical help arriving).
66
deca3a50f08e169f76f7abeefca8da3e
523
living room
A man and a woman are sitting on a couch. They are surrounded by numerous monkeys.
Monkeys are found in jungles or zoos, not in houses.
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mischief", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monkey" ]
[ "Why are the monkeys there?" ]
Then maybe you should just tell me what you want for your birthday instead of saying you don't care.
scene: living room description: A man and a woman are sitting on a couch. They are surrounded by numerous monkeys. uncanny: Monkeys are found in jungles or zoos, not in houses. entities: Mischief, Monkey. caption: Then maybe you should just tell me what you want for your birthday instead of saying you don't care.
People often claim they "don't care" what others get them for their birthday, but this isn't literally true: if someone got them a dozen monkeys (as pictured), they probably would be mad because dealing with the monkeys is a lot of work.
43
1a6baf67f1ee5393ebd12b972ce2eaa1
582
street
Two people are riding a two person bike down the road. They are both on the phone.
The bicycle is unusually long.
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tandem_bicycle", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_phone" ]
[ "Are they calling one another on the phone?" ]
Look, you agreed to a trial separation.
scene: street description: Two people are riding a two person bike down the road. They are both on the phone. uncanny: The bicycle is unusually long. entities: Tandem_bicycle, Mobile_phone. caption: Look, you agreed to a trial separation.
A play on the idea of trail separation not being as definitive as divorce. This couple agreed to live apart temporarily without becoming divorced, but are still attached both by marriage, and in this case, literally by a tandem bike. The bike is a somewhat awkward not-full-separation, just like a trial separation.
53
a999c781849d3d5f8815fe7e26c86125
658
a workplace
People are in a computer lab. Some of the ones on the computers are animals.
Animals don't use computers.
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gossip" ]
[ "When did the animals become this intelligent?" ]
Do you want to go for L-U-N-C-H and maybe a W-A-L-K?
scene: a workplace description: People are in a computer lab. Some of the ones on the computers are animals. uncanny: Animals don't use computers. entities: Dog, Gossip. caption: Do you want to go for L-U-N-C-H and maybe a W-A-L-K?
Dogs often learn the word "walk" and get excited if someone says it: so humans disguise the word by spelling it out so they don't recognize it and they don't feel guilty for not taking them on a walk in the moment. Here, the humans want to go to lunch separate from their co-worker dogs, so are spelling out the word lunch to not invite them.
67
7bac0203ae03fe9461b07fb16b7c3735
612
a crime scene
A crime scene is happening. There are outlines of animals on the ground and a person. A detective and policewoman stare at it.
The outlines on the ground are not all of people, but also animals.
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evolution", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chalk" ]
[ "Why are the outlines of animals and not just people?" ]
I suspect some people will deny this ever happened.
scene: a crime scene description: A crime scene is happening. There are outlines of animals on the ground and a person. A detective and policewoman stare at it. uncanny: The outlines on the ground are not all of people, but also animals. entities: Evolution, Chalk. caption: I suspect some people will deny this ever happened.
A joke about creationists denying evolution. Here, the body outlines at the crime scene form an evolutionary chain, and provide strong evidence for evolution. But, much like someone might deny that a crime happened as a cover up, the detective suspects that, despite this evidence, creationists will still not believe evolution ever happened.
54
8ab4d2e4a6682b4e028be06fbd1b72f6
190
a city
Some people are pushing a platform with an angry bull on it. There is another platform with an ostrich with his head buried.
The ostrich is burying its head in a piece of wood or stone.
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ostrich_effect", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bull" ]
[ "Why are they pushing these animals?" ]
If we just ignore it, maybe it'll go away.
scene: a city description: Some people are pushing a platform with an angry bull on it. There is another platform with an ostrich with his head buried. uncanny: The ostrich is burying its head in a piece of wood or stone. entities: Ostrich_effect, Bull. caption: If we just ignore it, maybe it'll go away.
A joke about financial collapse on wall street. Wall street has a famous statue of a bull which "represents the courage and can-do spirit of Americans," but the cartoon suggests that sometimes, for the stock market crashing, a more appropriate mascot might be an ostrich hiding its head in the dirt, as a representation of ignoring problems and hiding from them.
62
4a1a895682ff7f93f982a0d5e1e1f8e0
457
a row boat
A number of bedraggled men are rowing in the hull of a slave ship. One of them is a businessman.
The businessman is out of place in this time.
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caveman", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Businessperson" ]
[ "Why is the businessman rowing?" ]
Your last job sounds terrible.
scene: a row boat description: A number of bedraggled men are rowing in the hull of a slave ship. One of them is a businessman. uncanny: The businessman is out of place in this time. entities: Caveman, Businessperson. caption: Your last job sounds terrible.
The people rowing the boat are slaves --- their conditions seem dire and their job terrible. But, even the rowers take pity on the businessman, who they judge to have an even more terrible job previously. This surprising conclusion is joke is about how modern jobs are cushy, but might still feel like slavery in some ways (even though they aren't really comparable).
64
07ae28d4db0c135550c364f85d234aee
720
a mountain
A man is pushing a boulder uphill. He's passing a woman at a table who is having a drink.
The woman is in the wrong time period.
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boulder", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Types_of_restaurants#Casual_dining" ]
[ "What is the woman doing there?" ]
Do you struggle endlessly through here often?
scene: a mountain description: A man is pushing a boulder uphill. He's passing a woman at a table who is having a drink. uncanny: The woman is in the wrong time period. entities: Boulder, Types_of_restaurants#Casual_dining. caption: Do you struggle endlessly through here often?
"Do you come here often" is a common conversation starter at bars (where the woman is). Sisyphus would be unlikely to encounter such a woman, yet, she is trying to start a romantic conversation with him by adjusting the conversation stater to his eternally damned situation.
47
981abdf53a93d5137f7fcb2a12dc3a20
130
a residential yard
Two women are looking out a window. There is snow outside, and there is a snowman with human arms.
A snowman has branches for arms, not human arms.
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snowman", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snow" ]
[ "Is there a man stuck inside?" ]
He has a summer job as a scarecrow.
scene: a residential yard description: Two women are looking out a window. There is snow outside, and there is a snowman with human arms. uncanny: A snowman has branches for arms, not human arms. entities: Snowman, Snow. caption: He has a summer job as a scarecrow.
The real man inside of the snowman is apparently the sort of person who will take a seasonal job as a seasonally-appropriate anthropomorphic sculpture, e.g., a snowman in winter, or a scarecrow in the summer. It's funny because this isn't a real job, and even if it was, the type of person who would accept it is very odd.
60
a2f860e056c9daa1b8216d7dee2e51d8
742
an art gallery
A man is having a Barbecue in the middle of an art gallery. Another man is angry at him.
Barbecues are meant for outside and not for an art gallery.
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impressionism", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grilling" ]
[ "Why is the man having a Barbecue?" ]
That's a rare medium. Well done.
scene: an art gallery description: A man is having a Barbecue in the middle of an art gallery. Another man is angry at him. uncanny: Barbecues are meant for outside and not for an art gallery. entities: Impressionism, Grilling. caption: That's a rare medium. Well done.
A play on the terms "rare", "medium", and "well done"; these three phrases are steak temperatures that people prefer, which ties in the the barbecue. But on the other hand, in the art context, a "rare medium" would be a piece of art that is constructed with uncommon materials; the uncommon material is the burgers he's cooking. The "well done" is re-framed as a congratulatory message for barbecuing well.
70
6aaf6afdac340f67ec1dee9b31bd6b77
8
a room
A woman is talking on the phone. She is looking at a fish bowl, which has a tiny island with a tiny man in it.
The fishbowl has a tiny man and island in it.
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aquarium", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Island" ]
[ "How did the man shrink?" ]
You wouldn't believe it! I met a man at the pet store.
scene: a room description: A woman is talking on the phone. She is looking at a fish bowl, which has a tiny island with a tiny man in it. uncanny: The fishbowl has a tiny man and island in it. entities: Aquarium, Island. caption: You wouldn't believe it! I met a man at the pet store.
"Meeting someone" in everyday situations like a pet store is how many romantic relationships start. However, here, the woman on the phone actually bought a small pet man at the store.
32
fd8ca0130c506150f34371150cfcd485
755
a cave
A woman dressed in modern clothes is sitting in a chair with a cup of coffee on a table under a pendant light inside of a cave. There is a man dressed like a caveman standing in front of her.
It's unusual to see such a modern arrangement typical of a coffee shop placed inside a cave. It's also unusual to see two people dressed so differently as if they are also from different time periods. Caves don't typically have electricity so a light feature (with bulb) is unusual to see.
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caveman", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coffee_table" ]
[ "Why is the woman sitting like she's at a coffee shop inside of a cave?" ]
If you're so civilized, why don't you use a coaster?
scene: a cave description: A woman dressed in modern clothes is sitting in a chair with a cup of coffee on a table under a pendant light inside of a cave. There is a man dressed like a caveman standing in front of her. uncanny: It's unusual to see such a modern arrangement typical of a coffee shop placed inside a cave. It's also unusual to see two people dressed so differently as if they are also from different time periods. Caves don't typically have electricity so a light feature (with bulb) is unusual to see. entities: Caveman, Coffee_table. caption: If you're so civilized, why don't you use a coaster?
The woman from modern times is looking at the primitive caveman: the caveman doesn't want to be looked down upon, and so argues that the modern woman is actually not so modern for a benign reason: that she's not using a coaster for her mug (which is seen as a civilized/polite thing to do).
55
b007ba1a10711d33a128d17e49f9c9ef
654
a restaurant
A man is sitting down at a restaurant table and he has bowl of food in front of him. He is talking to a waiter about his food. His bowl of soup has someone turned into a large tornado of soup.
The soup isn't sitting in the bowl but instead it has taken the shape of a tornado.
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tornado", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soup" ]
[ "What caused the soup to take that shape?", "What is the man saying to the waiter?" ]
Cancel the molten lava cake.
scene: a restaurant description: A man is sitting down at a restaurant table and he has bowl of food in front of him. He is talking to a waiter about his food. His bowl of soup has someone turned into a large tornado of soup. uncanny: The soup isn't sitting in the bowl but instead it has taken the shape of a tornado. entities: Tornado, Soup. caption: Cancel the molten lava cake.
This odd restaurant serves dishes that are dangerous natural disasters, like the depicted tornado/hurricane soup. If this restaurant were to serve a lava cake (usually: a benign gooey chocolate cake), we can imagine that it would consist of actual molten lava which would be dangerous. The diner looks displeased with these natural disaster disruptions to his meal.
58
fb6fa65e7702523d2ab07e8151564d3e
232
a restaurant
Some people are sitting around a table doing various things. Some are reading, some working, some playing games.
There isn't much out of place that I can see.
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chess", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laptop" ]
[ "What are they supposed to be doing?" ]
Your availability comes off as desperation.
scene: a restaurant description: Some people are sitting around a table doing various things. Some are reading, some working, some playing games. uncanny: There isn't much out of place that I can see. entities: Chess, Laptop. caption: Your availability comes off as desperation.
A joke about the distractions of the modern world. A common complaint is that people can't sit down and have a conversation without doing something else like being on a phone or reading. In this world, the only one being present is chastised: if you don't have a distraction in this world, you're too desperate and socially available/needy.
59
70895c2263b2739f9eca7bc8e500ccd1
7
a bedroom
There is a man and woman in bed and the woman is sitting up while looking at her husband who is turned away and talking. Outside the window is black space and a view of Earth in the middle of the frame.
It is unusual to see a view of Earth outside a window.
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earth", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marriage", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sleep" ]
[ "Where are these people if Earth is in the background?", "What is the man saying to the woman?" ]
You always get like this when there's a full Earth.
scene: a bedroom description: There is a man and woman in bed and the woman is sitting up while looking at her husband who is turned away and talking. Outside the window is black space and a view of Earth in the middle of the frame. uncanny: It is unusual to see a view of Earth outside a window. entities: Earth, Marriage, Sleep. caption: You always get like this when there's a full Earth.
Odd/scary behaviors are said to occur during a full moon; in this case, the "full earth" out the window either implies that these people live in a space house, or that the house occasionally jumps into orbit. The contrast between the man's nonchalance and the woman's lucidity about the absurdity of being in space is humorous.
57
805e9536d070c67a4b6d5f9f15376f8e
156
a bar
A man is sitting at a bar, chatting up a woman. They both have drinks.
The man is wearing women's shoes.
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-heeled_shoe", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Courtship" ]
[ "Why is he wearing those heels?" ]
Actually, I'm not crazy about long walks on the beach.
scene: a bar description: A man is sitting at a bar, chatting up a woman. They both have drinks. uncanny: The man is wearing women's shoes. entities: High-heeled_shoe, Courtship. caption: Actually, I'm not crazy about long walks on the beach.
A common romantic line when dating is to say "I like long walks on the beach." But here, the man is wearing high heels, which are notoriously painful to walk long distances in. So, he prefers to wear high heels, and not to walk long distances on the beach.
50
c61e29d025276bb7f76ee2c6dc706cb5
526
heaven
A man and a woman are talking. They are angels. The man has a huge halo while the woman has a normal sized one.
The man's halo is unusually large.
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angel", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halo_(religious_iconography)", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egotism" ]
[ "Why is the man's halo so huge?" ]
I let my mother-in-law move in with us.
scene: heaven description: A man and a woman are talking. They are angels. The man has a huge halo while the woman has a normal sized one. uncanny: The man's halo is unusually large. entities: Angel, Halo_(religious_iconography), Egotism. caption: I let my mother-in-law move in with us.
There's a trope that an angel might be given a big halo in heaven after they die if they did a particularly selfless act in their life. Here, the above-and-beyond act was letting a mother-in-law live with him and his partner. In general, having a partner's parents move in is very hard, because the in-law may interfere with the couple's independent, day-to-day romantic relationship, and so agreeing to this is a huge sacrifice. It's funny in part because this isn't the biggest possible sacrifice in life, but is under-rated as a selfless act.
94
a20af3a4c0bcf0ed749938baa2d05e68
608
church
A priest is looking at a woman playing an organ in church. There is a radiator on top of the organ.
The radiator is humongous.
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organ_(music)", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radiator" ]
[ "What kind of organ is this?" ]
We need to screen our organ donors more closely.
scene: church description: A priest is looking at a woman playing an organ in church. There is a radiator on top of the organ. uncanny: The radiator is humongous. entities: Organ_(music), Radiator. caption: We need to screen our organ donors more closely.
A play on the term "organ donors" --- an organ donor usually refers to someone who opts in to having their organs donated after their death; these folks might be screened for health conditions to make sure transplantation is safe. But here, the organ donor is someone who gave the musical instrument organ to the church; a more close screening process for someone donating a musical instrument would have presumably caught the fact that the organ isn't an instrument, it's a radiator.
83
186a2200ba1eb0b5aa63d20bcfd52b2e
470
the living room
A wrecking ball is in the house with a hole in the wall. People are on the chairs doing other things and a dog is staring at the wreck.
There is a wrecking ball in a house where people are living.
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wrecking_ball", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Construction" ]
[ "Why is there a wrecking ball in a house where people are living?" ]
Miley’s here.
scene: the living room description: A wrecking ball is in the house with a hole in the wall. People are on the chairs doing other things and a dog is staring at the wreck. uncanny: There is a wrecking ball in a house where people are living. entities: Wrecking_ball, Construction. caption: Miley’s here.
A reference to the Miley Cyrus music video "Wrecking Ball", in which she rides a wrecking ball into a side of a building. Instead of being surprised by the destruction, the everyday people react as if they invited Cyrus to their house and were anticipating that she would arrive in this destructive fashion.
54
e47eaa274a5667c253403fd4c407eec5
622
the subway
A man is BBQing on a subway car. A man in a business suit looks at him weirdly.
There is a man BBQing in a train car. BBQing is done outside.
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbecue_grill", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cooking" ]
[ "Why is there a man BBQing in a subway car?" ]
To go?
scene: the subway description: A man is BBQing on a subway car. A man in a business suit looks at him weirdly. uncanny: There is a man BBQing in a train car. BBQing is done outside. entities: Barbecue_grill, Cooking. caption: To go?
The person grilling is asking whether the people would like their burgers "for here" or "to go". But, in either case, they are on the subway, which means that they will be getting it "to go", so there wasn't really a choice of "for here" in the first place.
50
4b43afb1ad4597b19ec0007a552a95f6
377
the living room
Two people are looking into a room. They're discussing a rat reading the newspaper in their chair.
The rat is huge and able to read.
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rat", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newspaper" ]
[ "Why is there a huge rat in the house?" ]
He's been on that same story for hours. I'm beginning to think he can't read.
scene: the living room description: Two people are looking into a room. They're discussing a rat reading the newspaper in their chair. uncanny: The rat is huge and able to read. entities: Rat, Newspaper. caption: He's been on that same story for hours. I'm beginning to think he can't read.
A surprisingly nonchalant response to a giant rat reading a newspaper in these people's living room. Instead of pointing out the number of odd things about the situation, the relatively benign "he can't read" is what is worrying the woman, which is funny, because obviously, rats can't read.
49
0752bcb075d111e88f4f13fd6aa530f0
11
a prisonyard
A man with a sword faces a man in a waiter's outfit tied to a pole. Several others are lined up in front of the pole with rifles, dressed in various styles of clothing.
It's unusual to see people dressed in everyday attire forming firing squad
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Execution_by_firing_squad", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enemy" ]
[ "Why are these people preparing to shoot a waiter?" ]
Gee, you guys really are having trouble meeting your recruitment quota!
scene: a prisonyard description: A man with a sword faces a man in a waiter's outfit tied to a pole. Several others are lined up in front of the pole with rifles, dressed in various styles of clothing. uncanny: It's unusual to see people dressed in everyday attire forming firing squad entities: Execution_by_firing_squad, Enemy. caption: Gee, you guys really are having trouble meeting your recruitment quota!
A joke about the difficulty of recruiting of executioners. Being a member of a firing squad is likely not a popular job, and so instead of getting qualified people, this prison appears to be handing a gun to anyone willing, even a dog. The person about to be executed nonchalantly quips that they can't find qualified people.
58
8aeb1b714963c8b5fada18896bca0f7b
626
an open plain
There is a horse in its pen. It's bucking off a man in a suit.
The man is not dressed for riding.
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bull_riding", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horse" ]
[ "Is the man about to break his neck?" ]
Hi Hon. Can you meet me at the hospital in about ten minutes?
scene: an open plain description: There is a horse in its pen. It's bucking off a man in a suit. uncanny: The man is not dressed for riding. entities: Bull_riding, Horse. caption: Hi Hon. Can you meet me at the hospital in about ten minutes?
The man on the phone is pre-planning his own hospital visit. This is unusual, because one would think that he would be focused on avoiding injury from the currently-occuring situation instead of, in a surprisingly carefree and cheerful manner, telling his friend to meet him at the hospital.
49
fb9805cc5f938df145393ede353ef15f
57
a living room
Two men are standing in front of a fireplace with a mounted fish hanging above it. One of the men seems to have been bitten by the fish and his arm is in the fishes mouth.
It is strange the fish is biting the man's arm since mounted fish are not alive.
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piranha", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Painting", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fireplace_mantel" ]
[ "How did the man get bitten." ]
There may be some lingering resentment.
scene: a living room description: Two men are standing in front of a fireplace with a mounted fish hanging above it. One of the men seems to have been bitten by the fish and his arm is in the fishes mouth. uncanny: It is strange the fish is biting the man's arm since mounted fish are not alive. entities: Piranha, Painting, Fireplace_mantel. caption: There may be some lingering resentment.
People sometimes hang hunting or finishing taxidermy trophies of their kills/catches on their walls. The taxidermy has come to life and bit the man who was the one who killed him. It's thus understandable that the fish (if it could come alive) would resent its killer; the man nonchalantly quips about their tenuous relationship.
55
20db769299df631024c7980113cf74b3
732
a courtroom
A teddy bear takes the witness stand as a lawyer questions it. A judge looks on with apprehension.
Teddy bears cannot talk so it would be pointless to talk to it in court.
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teddy_bear", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judge", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawyer" ]
[ "Why is the teddy bear on the witness stand?" ]
Where were you between the hours of beddy-bye and nighty-night?
scene: a courtroom description: A teddy bear takes the witness stand as a lawyer questions it. A judge looks on with apprehension. uncanny: Teddy bears cannot talk so it would be pointless to talk to it in court. entities: Teddy_bear, Judge, Lawyer. caption: Where were you between the hours of beddy-bye and nighty-night?
If a teddy bear were to be accused of a crime, as depicted with the bear on the stand, they might get questioned about their whereabouts at particular times. But instead of normal times like noon or 11PM, because teddy bears are used as children's toys, it might be questioned about "beddy-bye" and "nighty-night" as time markers. It's funny because of the contrast between the seriousness of the trial context and the silliness of the time specifications.
78
01678e1bc1e219aed16a74dc9347828e
171
a butcher shop
In a butcher shop, there is a lady looking to buy some meat. In the display case are designs of women doing the can-can dance.
The can-can dance is out of place because it has nothing to do with meat.
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Can-can", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leg" ]
[ "Why is there a can-can dance display?" ]
I'd suggest you keep them away from the gingerbread men.
scene: a butcher shop description: In a butcher shop, there is a lady looking to buy some meat. In the display case are designs of women doing the can-can dance. uncanny: The can-can dance is out of place because it has nothing to do with meat. entities: Can-can, Leg. caption: I'd suggest you keep them away from the gingerbread men.
These odd female dancers are being sold at the meat counter as a product: while this remains unexplained, the butcher's advice is to keep these women away from gingerbread men, which are a type of cookie shaped like men. One would want to keep the men and the women apart because romantic hi-jinks between the men and women might occur.
61
896f473701d485f9baf598a5631e63bd
243
a bedroom
There is a man sitting on the edge of his bed with a landline phone in hand which is fried both the headset, cord and body. The phone has burned a hole in the wall and is still smoking. The man is looking back at his wife and is talking.
It is unusual for a phone to burn up and create a hole in the wall.
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telephone", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Explosion" ]
[ "Why did the phone get fried?", "What is the man saying to his wife?" ]
That was the wakeup call from Hell.
scene: a bedroom description: There is a man sitting on the edge of his bed with a landline phone in hand which is fried both the headset, cord and body. The phone has burned a hole in the wall and is still smoking. The man is looking back at his wife and is talking. uncanny: It is unusual for a phone to burn up and create a hole in the wall. entities: Telephone, Explosion. caption: That was the wakeup call from Hell.
Wakeup calls in hotels are often jarring because they are often made from the front desk quite early (e.g., 4-5AM). But here, the wakeup call is even more extreme ("from Hell" = extremely bad version): it explodes the phone to make sure the person gets up. A funny over-exaggeration.
50
45bbefb152a0ad76cc45c95430f09aa6