Another thread about remembering only punchlines of jokes reminded me about this. I figured CS was best as it is entertainment related, mods pleas emove if I have err’d.
OK, I remember hearing years a go that the title of the Led Zeppelin song “D’yer M’ker” was supposed to be the punchline of an incredibly lame joke.
The best I’ve been able to piece together, is that “D’yer M’ker” is supposed to be pronounced “D-jer Maker”, which is supposed to be “Did you make her?” with a bit of a caribbean accent (Which is also supposed ot sound like “Jamacia” with a bit of an “R” sound at the end - I presume a misunderstanding of some sort is the basis of the joke).
From, that I’ve heard the extended punchline something like this: “D’yer M’ker?”, “No, she wanted to”.
Does anybody know what this joke is supposed to be?
You pretty much have it already. There are different versions, cleaner or dirtier depending on whether the pun is on “make” as “to force” or as “to have sex with.” Here’s the version I know:
Bloke 1: I took my girlfriend to the Caribbean! Interlocutor: Jamaica? Bloke 1: No, she went of her own accord!
(Unbridled merriment holds sway)
Just to point out, the “Jamaica” joke predates Fred Zeppelin by a good century or more, being an old British music-hall joke (and maybe even a Joe Miller chestnut).
I’m out the door to work, and haven’t time to dig up a cite right now…it’s certainly the kind of corny old joke that a couple of backchat comedians would use in the 40s or 50s, to elicit groans from a seaside audience (probably something like Page, Plant, et al grew up with as kids), and might be followed by the “straight man” with, “I don’t wish to know that, kindly leave the stage!”
As others have mentioned, “D’yer Mak’er” is the punch line of an ancient English music hall (i.e. vaudeville) joke.
Why this title for this song? Well, Jimmy Page was one of the first major rock musicians with an interest in “World Music.” A lot of Led Zeppelin songs have shown Middle Eastern influences, for example.
Well, Page was also one of the first rock musicians to take an interest in Jamaican reggae. And “D’yer Mak’er” was actually Zeppelin’s stab at doing a reggae number.
Reggae = Jamaica, which reminded Page and Plant of the old music hall joke.