I don't know how funny people found these jokes just prior to our entry into World War II. I'm putting them here simply as a representation of the time period; as a primary document uncolored by any preconceived notions those of us who didn't live through it may have of that time in our nation's history. Racist, sexist, or just plain dumb, they are a reflection of their time.
The first set came from my father's high school year book, "The Typhoon," from Miami Beach High School. The year book used the full names of actual students.
Professor (rapping on desk): Order!
Entire Class: Beer!
Bob M.: I hear you neck.
Lila G.: Next time I'll try to be more quiet.
Delores B.: If a girl is pretty I suppose the prof will give her good marks.
Margaret E.: Yes, he believes in passing fancies.
Bob L.: I want a girl that cooks, sews, keeps house, and doesn't smoke or pet.
Al S.: Why don't you go to the grave yard and dig one up?
Freshman: Please, mother, may I go out?
Sophomore: May I go? I'll come home early.
Junior: I'm going out.
Senior: Leave the door unlocked.
Billy S.: What a crowd! Something happen?
Bill O'C.: Man fell off the roof.
Billy S.: Hurt bad?
Bill O'C.: Can't tell; only found one leg so far.
Mother: Stop reaching across the table, Howard. Haven't you a tongue?
Howard S.: Yes, ma'm, but my arm is longer.
Jimmy C.: May I sit on your right hand at dinner?
Grace W.: No, I may need it to eat with.
Folks who don't know which way to turn have no business in a revolving door.
Confucious says: He who laughs last usually had it explained to him.
Mr. C.: When a girl is young she is a minor. What is she when she is over 21?
Hubert S.: A gold digger.
Mother: Marie, did that boy kiss you against your will?
Marie M.: No, Mother, but he thought he did.
Mrs. S.: This class is so dumb that if you stood in a circle the Federal government would raid you for being a dope ring.
Harriet W.: Does this lipstick come off?
Salesgirl: Not if you put up a fight.
Fellow: Girls, I have a friend I would like you to meet.
Smooth babe: Is he good looking?
Literary girl: What does he read?
Charm girl: How much is he worth?
Miami Beach HS girl: Where is he?
That was for the teenagers. Now for the adults. Here are jokes from "Curtiss Fly Leaf," the official internal publication of the Curtiss-Wright Corporation, Airplane Division; from December 4, 1941.
Sports Writer: Is the big colored boy in shape for the fight tonight?
Trainer: "Yes, suh, boss -- he's in de ink of condition."
This month's absent minded contest was won by a salesman who was asked if he had a wife and replied, "No, but I have something just as good."
"Does it make any difference on which side of you I sit?" she asked.
"Not a bit," he replied. "I'm ambidextrous."
Beautiful: "I don't know what's the matter with that little man over there. He was so attentive a few moments ago and now he won't even look at me."
Not so dumb: "Perhaps he saw me come in. He's my husband."
Johnny: "Say, Dad, remember the story you told me about the time you were expelled from school?"
Dad: "Yes."
Johnny: "Well, isn't it funny how history repeats itself?"
"My wife ran away with my best friend."
"Was he good-looking?"
"I don't know, never met the fellow."
"Madam, will you please get off my foot?"
"Why don't you put it where it belongs?"
"Don't tempt me, lady, don't tempt me!"
"I can't marry him, Mother, he's an atheist and doesn't believe there is a hell."
"Marry him, my dear, and between us we'll convince him that he's wrong."
A young lady finding herself stranded in a small town, asked an old man at the station where she could spend the night.
"There ain't no hotel here," he said, "but you can sleep with the station agent."
"Sir!" she exclaimed, "I'll have you know I'm a lady!"
"That's all right," drawled the old man. "So's the station agent."
"You hit your husband with a chair? Pray tell me, why did you do it?"
"I did it, " sighed the lady, "because I could not lift the table."
A robber was holding up a Pullman car.
"Out with your dough, or I'll kill all the men and molest the women," he shouted.
An elderly man said indignantly: "You shall not touch the ladies."
Just then an old maid in an upper berth yelled out, "You leave him alone -- HE'S robbing this train."
Boy Friend: "Are you free this evening?"
Girl Friend: "Well, not exactly free, but very inexpensive."