The American Credo: A Contribution Toward the Interpretation of the National MindMencken, H. L. (Henry Louis)
General
The American Credo: A Contribution Toward the Interpretation of the National Mind
Mencken, H. L. (Henry Louis)
American wit and humor; National characteristics, American
That since the Indians were never bald, baldness comes from wearing
tight hats.
Sec.113
That all wine-agents are very loose men.
Sec.114
That the editor of a woman's magazine is always a lizzie.
Sec.115
That what is contained in the pitcher on the speakers' platform is
always ice-water.
Sec.116
That all Senators from Texas wear sombreros, chew tobacco, expectorate
profusely, and frequently employ the word "maverick."
Sec.117
That the meters on taxicabs are covertly manipulated by the chauffeurs
by means of wires hidden under the latters' seats.
Sec.118
That Lillian Russell is as beautiful today as she was thirty-five years
ago.
Sec.119
That if a young woman can hold a lighted match in her fingers until it
completely burns up, it is a sign that her young man really loves her.
Sec.120
That if a young woman accidentally puts on her lingerie wrong side out,
it is a sign that she will be married before the end of the year.
Sec.121
That if a bride wears an old garter with her new finery, she will have a
happy married life.
Sec.122
That a sudden chill is a sign that somebody is walking over one's grave.
Sec.123
That some ignoble Italian is at the bottom of every Dorothy Arnold
_fugax_.
Sec.124
That a tarantula will not crawl over a piece of rope.
Sec.125
That millionaires always go to sleep at the opera.
Sec.126
That Paderewski can get all the pianos he wants for nothing.
Sec.127
That a bloodhound never makes a mistake.
Sec.128
That celery is good for the nerves.
Sec.129
That the jokes in _Punch_ are never funny.
Sec.130
That the Mohammedans are heathens.
Sec.131
That a sudden shock may cause the hair to turn grey over night.
Sec.132
That the farmer is an honest man, and greatly imposed upon.
Sec.133
That all the antique furniture sold in America is made in Grand Rapids,
Mich., and that the holes testifying to its age are made either with
gimlets or by trained worms.
Sec.134
That if a dog is fond of a man it is an infallible sign that the man is
a good sort, and one to be trusted.
Sec.135
That blondes are flightier than brunettes.
Sec.136
That a nurse, however ugly, always looks beautiful to the sick man.
Sec.137
That book-keepers are always round-shouldered.
Sec.138
That if one touches a hop-toad, one will get warts.
Sec.139
That a collar-button that drops to the floor when one is dressing
invariably rolls into an obscure and inaccessible spot and eludes the
explorations of its owner.
Sec.140
That an American ambassador has the French, German, Italian, Spanish,
Portuguese, Russian and Japanese languages at his finger tips, and is
chummy with royalty.
Sec.141
That the ready-made mail order blue serge suits for men are put together
with mucilage, and turn green after they have been in the sunlight for a
day or two.
Sec.142
That if one has only three matches left, the first two will invariably
go out, but that the third and last will remain lighted.
Sec.143
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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