2013-08-01
Explanation
The comic is titled "Relationship Tip: Achieve Honest Compliments Through Clever Comma Usage." It presents two side-by-side panels. On the left, labeled "LIE," a woman tells a red-haired man, "You have a body like Adonis." On the right, labeled "TRUTH," she says, "You have a body, like Adonis."
The joke hinges entirely on the placement of a single comma. Without the comma, "You have a body like Adonis" is a flattering comparison to the Greek god of beauty and desire, suggesting the person has an incredibly attractive physique. With the comma, "You have a body, like Adonis" simply states that the person possesses a body -- which is true of literally everyone -- and notes that Adonis also had one. The comma transforms an extraordinary compliment into a trivially true observation.
This is a grammar humor comic that demonstrates how punctuation can completely change the meaning of a sentence. It is reminiscent of the classic example "Let's eat, Grandma" versus "Let's eat Grandma," where a comma is the difference between dinner conversation and cannibalism. The comic frames this as a "relationship tip," suggesting you can technically be honest while still sounding complimentary, as long as your partner does not notice the subtle pause.
The votey extends the joke with someone saying, "You draw a comic, like Randall Munroe." This is a self-deprecating reference by SMBC creator Zach Weinersmith, comparing himself to Randall Munroe, creator of the webcomic xkcd. Without the comma, it would be high praise; with the comma, it merely states that Weinersmith draws a comic, and so does Munroe -- a trivially true but unflattering comparison.