perk
Explanation
This comic features two characters discussing the word "perk." One explains that the word "perk" (as in a job benefit or bonus) more or less derives from "perquisite," which originally referred to discretionary benefits or gratuities. The word traces back through history, connecting to older usage about supplementary income or privileges.
The other character then tries to extend this into a claim about "bread and circuses" -- the Roman concept of providing food and entertainment to pacify the public -- suggesting that modern job "perks" (free snacks, ping pong tables, etc.) are essentially the same concept. The first character pushes back, saying "No, the bread and circuses thing is not the same. It's an etymologically unsound comparison."
The humor comes from the tension between someone who genuinely knows word origins and someone who wants to use etymology to make a grand sociopolitical point. The second character is trying to draw a sweeping historical parallel -- that modern corporate perks are just Roman-style pacification tactics -- but the first character, as a pedantic etymologist, insists on precision over narrative satisfaction. The final panel ("Forget it, I quit") captures the frustration of trying to make a compelling argument only to have it dismantled on technical grounds. It is a comic about how being technically correct can be the enemy of making an interesting point.