Finals are starting this week, so it seems a good time to add it a little humor to lighten the campus atmosphere. Of course, the humor has a bit of an historical twist, coming from Scripts and Pranks published between 1938 and 1961. Not all the jokes were original to Davidson, many were “borrowed” from other college publications and several were repeated over the years.
Fair warning, the jokes haven’t aged well (the may induce more eye-rolls than chuckles). They do provide some glimpses into student life and on-going themes of student-faculty conflict, fears over exams and making fun of first year students. And serve as a reminder that in those decades, Davidson students still had ties to farming and agriculture.
October 1941
Prof: Before we begin the examination are there any questions?
Frosh: What’s the name of this course? – Yellow Jacket
October 1941 and June 1947
There should be no monotony
In studying your botany.
It helps to train
and spur your brain—
Unless you haven’t gotany –Exchange
Technology humor 1961
December 1942
Frosh; I don’t think I deserve a zero
Prof: Neither do I, but it’s the lowest mark I’m allowed to give. The Wataugan
November 1936
“I shall now illustrate what I have on my mind,” said the prof as he erased the board Syracusan
Have you a complete education?
I should say so. I’ve worn out three registrars already. Sundail
The
Davidson College campus has fewer agriculture jokes in 2015
May 1937 & March 1941
Freshman: I don’t know
Sophomore: I am not prepared
Junior: I don’t remember
Senior: I don’t believe I can add anything to what has been said – Jester
November 1938
Pa: Well son, how are your marks?
Son: They’re under water.
Pa: What do you mean under water?
Son: Below “C” level.
The May 1938 issue poked fun at seniors with the label, the Unemployment Issue.
January 1938
I like an exam,
I think it’s fun.
I never cram,
I don’t flunk one.
(I’m the teacher). Exchange
May 1940
Questions We Wish They Would Ask in Exams:
1. What year was the war of 1812 fought?
2. From which French Province did Joan of Arc come?
3. Who is the author Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales?
4. What two countries fought in the Spanish-American war?
5. In what season id Washington spent the winter at Valley Forge? Where did he spend it?
6. Tell all you know about the Swiss navy.
7. How much does 100lbs of cork way
8. What color was Napoleon’s white horse?
9. How much does a dime’s worth of sugar cost?
10. Where did Helen of Troy live? – Awgwan 5
When a sheepskin was really a sheepskin
April 1948
Asked whether a year of college had made any difference in his eldest son, a farmer replied:
Well he’s still a good hand the plow, but I notice his language has changed some. It used to be, “Whoa, Becky,” “Haw,” and “Git up.”
Now, when he comes to the end of a row, he says, “Halt, Rebecca! Pivot and proceed!”
Haven’t had enough– check out the Scripts and Pranks online.
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