2013-09-10
Explanation
This comic presents a "Funtime Activity: Finding Quotations That Use Words Whose Meanings Have Changed Over Time." The episode featured is "Washington to Hamilton, 1797." It shows George Washington writing a letter that reads: "My Dear Sir: Not for any intrinsic value the thing possesses, but as a token of my sincere regard and friendship for you, and as a remembrance of me, I pray you to accept a wine cooler." Next to Washington sits a bright pink bottle labeled "Straw-Razzle Colada Blast!"
The humor comes from the phrase "wine cooler" having changed meaning dramatically over two centuries. In Washington'''s era, a "wine cooler" was a decorative vessel used to chill bottles of wine -- an elegant and refined gift between gentlemen of stature. Today, "wine cooler" refers to a cheap, fruity, low-alcohol beverage often associated with teenagers and people who do not actually like the taste of wine. The comic visualizes the modern meaning by placing a garish, brightly colored "Straw-Razzle Colada Blast" bottle next to Washington, making it look like one of America'''s founding fathers is gifting Alexander Hamilton a tacky convenience store drink as a token of his sincere friendship and regard.
This is a real historical quotation from Washington, which makes the joke even better. The comic plays on how language drift can inadvertently make dignified historical figures sound ridiculous to modern ears. It is both a genuinely educational observation about linguistic change and a very funny visual gag.