Howdy, Jazz Pickles. Thanks for your attention.
If your job was writing cartoons on a ceaseless schedule, you’d find yourself forever on the lookout for an image, phrase, or concept that you can twist into a chuckle. Not all jokes are the result of twisting the familiar into something new, but those that are must start with something that is common knowledge.
But sometimes, unbeknownst to you, something you’ve been aware of all your life isn’t common knowledge for your entire readership, and the majority won’t understand that joke. I’d guess all cartoonists stumble into that pothole from time to time, and don’t realize it until people online begin questioning the point of a joke, so this is a pitfall you learn to avoid.
A quick internet search of the topic or phrase can usually tell you if the basis of your gag is widely known, but sometimes you assume it will be and neglect to look it up. I’m only mentioning this because I drew and submitted today’s comic (above) without researching how widely known the “dog ate my homework” trope is. It wasn’t until I sat down to write this post that I wondered if that may have been a mistake, so I looked it up.
"My dog ate my homework" is an iconic, widely recognized idiom in English-speaking cultures, peaking in popularity during the 1970s–1980s as a stereotypical, flimsy excuse for missing assignments.”
The Almighty Internet (AI) says it’s common enough to pass the test, so I’m good. Phew!
And, while the title of this post clearly pertains to the cartoon canine above, I won’t deny that it immediately reminded me of a real-world criminal authority figure who will remain unmentioned today.
English (US) · 