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About this quote

What does it mean?
The speaker offers a nonsensical and humorous solution to make eyes water.
In plain terms
If you want your eyes to water, eat an onion.
What can you take from it?
Humor often relies on absurd or literal interpretations.

Where it applies

  • stand-up comedy
  • casual conversation
  • joke telling

Putting it to work

  • use absurdity for humor
  • twist literal meanings
  • surprise with nonsense

Questions to consider

  • Why does absurdity make us laugh?
  • How do you create a good one-liner?

Another view

The advice is impractical and meant only for laughs.

More from Groucho Marx

  1. Hello, Cocoanut Arms. Yes, we have a dining room. If it's fish, we have it. If it's meat, we have it. If it's fowl, we've had it too long.

    Permalink to quote #24

  2. Be free my friends. One for all and all for me, and me for you, and three for five, and six for a quarter.

    Permalink to quote #26

  3. No, my friends. No, money will never make you happy, and happy will never make you money. That might be a wisecrack, but I doubt it.

    Permalink to quote #23

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