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About this quote

What does it mean?
The speaker makes a joke about religious identity and physical limitations based on heritage.
In plain terms
He asks if his son's Jewish heritage affects his ability to swim.
What can you take from it?
Jokes about identity often rely on cultural stereotypes.

Where it applies

  • social banter
  • discussing heritage
  • complaining

Putting it to work

  • recognize stereotype reliance
  • use absurdity for humor

Questions to consider

  • Where is the line between humor and offense?
  • Why do stereotypes persist?

Another view

It relies on antisemitic tropes that can be offensive.

More from Groucho Marx

  1. My mother treated us all equally ... with contempt.

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  2. Now, there's a man with an open mind. You can feel the breeze from here.

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  3. My favourite poem is the one that starts 'Thirty days hath September' because it actually tells you something.

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