# I don't get the joke on this T-Shirt? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 22, 2014, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-get-the-joke-on-this-t-shirt/686659 "2014-04-22T05:09:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2014, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-get-the-joke-on-this-t-shirt/686659/61 "2014-04-22T20:11:53Z")
At any rate, a very informative thread. From a possible spam post I learned the following: 1. “For the crack” is a relatively common Irish/Scottish/English idiom. 2. “Craic” is pronounced “crack.” 3. What that Scottish guy I met almost 20 years ago was saying. “How’s the crack?” (Although now I think he was saying “How’s your crack?” or something similar. I seem to remember “your” being in there. At least now I know where “crack” comes from.) 4. “Craic,” spelled as such, is controversial. 5. The Chicago Irish in Canaryville, at the very least, seem to use the word “crack/craic” as part of the local dialect And probably some more lessons. Not bad for a thread that, as I said, started out as what now seems to be spam. ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2014, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-get-the-joke-on-this-t-shirt/686659/62 "2014-04-22T20:24:48Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > ETA: Weird, now it’s the original joke in context. Before, when I clicked on it, I got [this](http://i.imgur.com/zhq0jXs.gif). And you haven’t edited your post, from what I see, so I have no idea what’s going on. My guess is a response to hotlinking. I saw the butts gif too, but once i copied the url and went straight there, it now displays correctly. ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2014, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-get-the-joke-on-this-t-shirt/686659/63 "2014-04-22T20:27:12Z")
I’m really surprised that everyone seems to think “craic” is some obscure expression. I thought it had been well Americanized; I seem to hear it quite a lot, particularly in the last couple of years. It’s certainly what I thought of when I read the slogan in the OP, not the drug connotation. ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2014, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-get-the-joke-on-this-t-shirt/686659/64 "2014-04-22T20:29:05Z")
Nope, I know it because my friend Emily studied abroad in Ireland and now only ever asks where the craic’s at and because I watched Dara O’Briain’s Craic Dealer. edit: Oh, it’s also listed in my copy of In Other Words which details various words from other languages for things english doesn’t always have a neat word for. ---
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2014, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-get-the-joke-on-this-t-shirt/686659/65 "2014-04-22T20:30:04Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Yes, I’ll agree with that. > > I’m getting some “B.U.T.T.” cartoon thing when I click on that. > > ETA: Weird, now it’s the original joke in context. Before, when I clicked on it, I got [this](http://i.imgur.com/zhq0jXs.gif). And you haven’t edited your post, from what I see, so I have no idea what’s going on. > [@Inner\_Stickler](#): > > My guess is a response to hotlinking. I saw the butts gif too, but once i copied the url and went straight there, it now displays correctly. [Here’s the image re-hosted on imgur.](http://i.imgur.com/xK31DJc.png) ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2014, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-get-the-joke-on-this-t-shirt/686659/66 "2014-04-22T20:36:09Z")
> [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](#): > > I’m really surprised that everyone seems to think “craic” is some obscure expression. I thought it had been well Americanized; I seem to hear it quite a lot, particularly in the last couple of years. It’s certainly what I thought of when I read the slogan in the OP, not the drug connotation. Especially given “It’s Sunny…”'s humor, the crack cocaine connotation is definitely what they were going for. But it’s interesting to see that the phrase might be recognizable in the non-US English sense. ---
**Author:** ![An\_Gadai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2014, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-get-the-joke-on-this-t-shirt/686659/67 "2014-04-22T20:42:53Z")
> [@Inner\_Stickler](#): > > Nope, I know it because my friend Emily studied abroad in Ireland and now only ever asks where the craic’s at and because I watched Dara O’Briain’s Craic Dealer. > > edit: Oh, it’s also listed in my copy of In Other Words which details various words from other languages for things english doesn’t always have a neat word for. Odd that it would be included in that book since it is an English word. ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2014, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-get-the-joke-on-this-t-shirt/686659/68 "2014-04-23T21:00:02Z")
> [@randompattern](#): > > I think the OP is just trying to sell T-shirts. Let spammers take note - if that was what **WallFloor** was doing, and I don’t really think it was, then it was done exactly the right way. The OP is a reasonable questions and we got our mileage out of it. Are you listening, spammers? Put some thought into it. ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2014, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-get-the-joke-on-this-t-shirt/686659/69 "2014-04-23T21:24:15Z")
> [@An\_Gadai](#): > > Odd that it would be included in that book since it is an English word. Take it up with C. J. Moore. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2014, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-get-the-joke-on-this-t-shirt/686659/70 "2014-04-24T04:17:18Z")
What makes more sense, or rather, what sounds funnier: -Come to Philly for the fun of it -Come to Philly for the drugs Please. It’s so obviously about drugs. If it makes you feel better to think it’s about some Irish saying, go for it. But c’mon. Most people will make the more well-known connection. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2014, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-get-the-joke-on-this-t-shirt/686659/71 "2014-04-24T04:20:57Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > What makes more sense, or rather, what sounds funnier: > > -Come to Philly for the fun of it > -Come to Philly for the drugs > Please. It’s so obviously about drugs. If it makes you feel better to think it’s about some Irish saying, go for it. But c’mon. Most people will make the more well-known connection. Except for a couple early answers from our friends across the pond, _nobody_ is saying that’s the primary connection. ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2014, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-get-the-joke-on-this-t-shirt/686659/72 "2014-04-24T12:54:38Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > What makes more sense, or rather, what sounds funnier: > > -Come to Philly for the fun of it > -Come to Philly for the drugs “Come to Philly for a good time” makes more sense. It’s the sort of slogan you’d see on a touristy souvenir (or local pride) shirt. Neither one is funny. They both only become funny when made into a punning reference to the Liberty Bell crack. > [@pulykamell](#): > > Except for a couple early answers from our friends across the pond, _nobody_ is saying that’s the primary connection. I am. I’m only willing to concede the point because you tell me that this show, which I’ve never seen, is apparently _about_ a bunch of crack-smoking drug fiends. ---
**Author:** ![md2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/73ab20/32.png) [@md2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/md2000)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2014, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-get-the-joke-on-this-t-shirt/686659/73 "2014-04-24T16:19:53Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > Crack = Crack cocaine. > Also, the Liberty Bell has a Crack in it, and it’s in Philly. Only in America… would they make an icon out of and celebrate poor workmanship. EDIT: Oh, wait, I forgot about the Leaning Tower of Pisa. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2014, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-get-the-joke-on-this-t-shirt/686659/74 "2014-04-24T16:34:48Z")
> [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](#): > > “Come to Philly for a good time” makes more sense. It’s the sort of slogan you’d see on a touristy souvenir (or local pride) shirt. It makes no sense with respect to the sensibility of the show or the characters involved. The characters are for the most part rude, crude, obnoxious degenerates. The last thing any of them would think of would be to suggest people come to Philly for a good time. They would be much more proud of Philly as a place to get good crack than to have a good time (which for them involves getting drunk and smoking crack). > [@](#): > > I am. I’m only willing to concede the point because you tell me that this show, which I’ve never seen, is apparently _about_ a bunch of crack-smoking drug fiends. Exactly. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2014, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-get-the-joke-on-this-t-shirt/686659/75 "2014-04-24T17:53:22Z")
> [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](#): > > I am. I’m only willing to concede the point because you tell me that this show, which I’ve never seen, is apparently _about_ a bunch of crack-smoking drug fiends. Well, they were only addicted for that one episode. But it was a classic! ---
**Author:** ![An\_Gadai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2014, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-get-the-joke-on-this-t-shirt/686659/76 "2014-04-24T20:34:40Z")
> [@Inner\_Stickler](#): > > Take it up with C. J. Moore. They shall be getting a stern letter written in green pen. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![eburacum45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eburacum45/32/8690_2.png) [@eburacum45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eburacum45)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2014, 8:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-get-the-joke-on-this-t-shirt/686659/77 "2014-04-27T08:07:58Z")
I don’t watch _‘Always Sunny in Philadelphia’_, but my daughter does; turns out she’s noticed the ‘crack’ t-shirt and, like me assumed it was ‘for the craic’. That interpretation seems much more reasonable to me, but maybe it’s because I’m a big fan of Dara O’Briain (the Craic Dealer). Highly recommended. Now I come to think of it, I do sometimes use the work ‘crack’ in the older, English sense - on meeting someone I sometimes ask them “What’s the crack?” meaning ‘what’s happenin’?’ How that ‘crack’ mutated into ‘fun’ I don’t really know. ---
**Author:** ![zweisamkeit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zweisamkeit/32/4360_2.png) [@zweisamkeit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zweisamkeit)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2014, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-get-the-joke-on-this-t-shirt/686659/78 "2014-04-28T00:06:27Z")
So you think it’s obviously “for the craic” because of Dara O’Briain’s show called “the Craic Dealer”. Meanwhile, this American reads “the Craic Dealer” and immediately associates it as a pun on “the Crack (Cocaine) Dealer.” Heh. And **Biffy** , I agree that “Come to Philly for a good time” in pun-form could be on a touristy t-shirt, but it would be meant sincerely - the person really does think there are lots of great things in Philly, so visitors would enjoy their stay. But… there are a LOT of people who find those shirts embarrassing or stupid - partially _because_ of their sincerity - but still love their hometown. They are more likely to wear shirts that seem to insult the city (why would crack cocaine be a good thing?), but it’s actually more like an affectionate jab. My local example: [“Come back to Detroit … Sorry we missed you” with a gun viewed down the barrel](http://www.luvthatshirt.com/images/s02/39275.jpg). It’s clearly riffing off of Detroit’s reputation as violent and dangerous. But the people who like the shirt (either wearing it or just thinking it’s funny) DO have local pride. It’s just a form of black comedy. The characters on Always Sunny would go for this, NOT cheerful sincerity. ---
**Author:** ![eburacum45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eburacum45/32/8690_2.png) [@eburacum45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eburacum45)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2014, 6:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-get-the-joke-on-this-t-shirt/686659/79 "2014-04-28T06:10:27Z")
> [@](#): > > Meanwhile, this American reads “the Craic Dealer” and immediately associates it as a pun on “the Crack (Cocaine) Dealer.” It is. Your point? ---
**Author:** ![Washoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ecae2f/32.png) [@Washoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Washoe)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2014, 6:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-get-the-joke-on-this-t-shirt/686659/80 "2014-04-28T06:39:25Z")
Ironically, I have never heard an actual user of ‘crack’ call it that. They almost invariably call it ‘rock’ or ‘booyah.’ [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-get-the-joke-on-this-t-shirt/686659.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-get-the-joke-on-this-t-shirt/686659.md?page=5)