# 'Splain this Far Side cartoon to me. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 26, 2006, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/splain-this-far-side-cartoon-to-me/346223 "2006-02-26T21:32:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mindfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mindfield/32/19759_2.png) [@Mindfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mindfield)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2006, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/splain-this-far-side-cartoon-to-me/346223/1 "2006-02-26T21:32:08Z")
Okay. Maybe I’m a moron, or maybe the gag employs a colloquialism that’s before my time, but I just never got it and it’s nagged at me for years. Two officers are interrogating some mob guy, and the one turns to the other and says, “Don’t write that down! His name ain’t Puddin’ Tame!” Um … 😕 ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2006, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/splain-this-far-side-cartoon-to-me/346223/2 "2006-02-26T21:33:39Z")
It’s from a kid’s game: “What’s your name?” “Puddin Tame, ask me again and I’ll tell you the same.” The Far Side cop keeps asking the guy his name and… ---
**Author:** ![Tevildo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Tevildo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tevildo)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2006, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/splain-this-far-side-cartoon-to-me/346223/3 "2006-02-26T21:57:47Z")
Can I ask about one, as well? Caption “The heartbreak of remoras”. A shark looking into a mirror, in which it sees two of the aforementioned parasitic fish clinging to it, although there’s nothing actually attached to the shark’s real body. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2006, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/splain-this-far-side-cartoon-to-me/346223/4 "2006-02-26T22:00:25Z")
> [@Tevildo](#): > > Can I ask about one, as well? > > Caption “The heartbreak of remoras”. A shark looking into a mirror, in which it sees two of the aforementioned parasitic fish clinging to it, although there’s nothing actually attached to the shark’s real body. The heartbreak of psoriasis? ---
**Author:** ![David\_Simmons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9de053/32.png) [@David\_Simmons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_Simmons)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2006, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/splain-this-far-side-cartoon-to-me/346223/5 "2006-02-26T22:02:05Z")
> [@Tevildo](#): > > Can I ask about one, as well? > > Caption “The heartbreak of remoras”. A shark looking into a mirror, in which it sees two of the aforementioned parasitic fish clinging to it, although there’s nothing actually attached to the shark’s real body. Since the remoras aren’t on a shark but are merely on an image they are heartbroken. “The heartbreak of remorse.” ---
**Author:** ![Iguana\_Boy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ed655f/32.png) [@Iguana\_Boy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Iguana_Boy)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2006, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/splain-this-far-side-cartoon-to-me/346223/6 "2006-02-26T22:05:57Z")
I always thought that the remoras were there, it’s just that the angle of the cartoon meant they were only visible in the mirror! (Larson is the first to admit he wasn’t the best artist in the world.) A Far Side cartoon that was too subtle for me? The shame!! ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2006, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/splain-this-far-side-cartoon-to-me/346223/7 "2006-02-26T22:29:28Z")
The “Puddentane” or “Puddin’ Tame” rhyme is apparently attested in the Opies’ _Lore and Language of Schoolchildren_, but I don’t know anything about its history. Except that the version I learned went like this: “What’s your name?” “Puddin’ tame.” “Where do you live?” “Down the lane.” “What’s your trade?” “Lemonade.” ---
**Author:** ![Mindfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mindfield/32/19759_2.png) [@Mindfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mindfield)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2006, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/splain-this-far-side-cartoon-to-me/346223/8 "2006-02-26T22:35:04Z")
Ah, so it _is_ a gag that goes a ways before my time. Sounds like a 30s-type kids game. Now I get why I didn’t get it. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2006, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/splain-this-far-side-cartoon-to-me/346223/9 "2006-02-26T22:43:29Z")
and wtf are “cow tools”? (just kidding) ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2006, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/splain-this-far-side-cartoon-to-me/346223/10 "2006-02-26T22:52:23Z")
Fox Mulder uses the line in the _X-Files_ episode _Triangle_. He’s mysteriously found himself on a cruise ship in 1940, being interrogatred by suspicious Germans. Interrogator: What is your name? Mulder: Puddin’ Tame. Ask me again and I’ll tell you the same. I: I said, what is your name? M: Charlie Brown. Ask me again and I’ll knock you down. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2006, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/splain-this-far-side-cartoon-to-me/346223/11 "2006-02-27T00:09:11Z")
> [@Revtim](#): > > and wtf are “cow tools”? > > (just kidding) ::: Rick starts to type an anwer to WTF are cow tools.::: ::: Reads second line::: never mind ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2006, 6:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/splain-this-far-side-cartoon-to-me/346223/12 "2006-02-27T06:30:57Z")
Woah woah woah…the “heartbreak of psoriasis” answer is correct to that one. It’s a reference to an infamously over-the-top ad for medication. ---
**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:** [February 27, 2006, 7:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/splain-this-far-side-cartoon-to-me/346223/13 "2006-02-27T07:46:48Z")
What Smeghead said. I remember those commercials. Almost as much angst as ring around the collar, with a little fake pain thrown in. ---
**Author:** ![Ronald\_C.Semone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/cc9497/32.png) [@Ronald\_C.Semone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ronald_C.Semone)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2006, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/splain-this-far-side-cartoon-to-me/346223/14 "2006-02-27T17:58:20Z")
The third line I learned 60 years ago was What do you eat? Pig’s feet. ---
**Author:** ![moonstarssun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b9bd4f/32.png) [@moonstarssun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moonstarssun)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2006, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/splain-this-far-side-cartoon-to-me/346223/15 "2006-02-27T18:17:30Z")
A slight hijack, but this thread reminded me of a story one of my coworkers told. At his old job, he overheard one of his coworkers complain that he “didn’t get the Far Side.” Doug decided to be helpful, so he grabbed the paper and took it to the coworker and started explaining it to him. Coworker glared at him and said, “No, I _understand_ it, I just don’t _get_ it because it doesn’t run in my town’s paper.” ---
**Author:** ![Daithi\_Lacha](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/daithi_lacha/32/5430_2.png) [@Daithi\_Lacha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daithi_Lacha)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2006, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/splain-this-far-side-cartoon-to-me/346223/16 "2006-02-27T18:39:51Z")
> [@moonstarssun](#): > > A slight hijack, but this thread reminded me of a story one of my coworkers told. At his old job, he overheard one of his coworkers complain that he “didn’t get the Far Side.” Doug decided to be helpful, so he grabbed the paper and took it to the coworker and started explaining it to him. Coworker glared at him and said, “No, I _understand_ it, I just don’t _get_ it because it doesn’t run in my town’s paper.” For Puddin Tane, I’ve also heard - What’s your number? - Cucumber! Although I thought “Raw Umber” made more sense, rhyme-wise. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2006, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/splain-this-far-side-cartoon-to-me/346223/17 "2006-02-27T18:42:47Z")
> [@moonstarssun](#): > > A slight hijack, but this thread reminded me of a story one of my coworkers told. Somebody stole that story from _Cheers_, in which Woody claims he doesn’t “get” a Far Side cartoon. From the (unnecessary) explanation given by another character, the specific strip is the one where cows are in a field standing on their hind legs, resuming the “normal” four-legged stance only when a lookout yells “Car!” Then again, it’s possible _Cheers_ just swiped it from someone else. ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2006, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/splain-this-far-side-cartoon-to-me/346223/18 "2006-02-27T18:52:00Z")
> [@moonstarssun](#): > > A slight hijack, but this thread reminded me of a story one of my coworkers told. At his old job, he overheard one of his coworkers complain that he “didn’t get the Far Side.” Doug decided to be helpful, so he grabbed the paper and took it to the coworker and started explaining it to him. Coworker glared at him and said, “No, I _understand_ it, I just don’t _get_ it because it doesn’t run in my town’s paper.” This is from an episode of Cheers. Norm explains the cartoon to Woddy who then delivers the payoff. I think he caps it by saying “but thanks for making me feel like an idiot!” ---
**Author:** ![Cliffy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/59ef9b/32.png) [@Cliffy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cliffy)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2006, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/splain-this-far-side-cartoon-to-me/346223/19 "2006-02-27T22:53:17Z")
> [@Smeghead](#): > > Woah woah woah…the “heartbreak of psoriasis” answer is correct to that one. It’s a reference to an infamously over-the-top ad for medication. It’s “whoa.” Carry on. –Cliffy, pedant ---
**Author:** ![saoirse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@saoirse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saoirse)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2006, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/splain-this-far-side-cartoon-to-me/346223/20 "2006-02-28T01:35:05Z")
> [@Rick](#): > > ::: Rick starts to type an anwer to WTF are cow tools.::: > ::: Reads second line::: > never mind My local paper left the caption off that one. They had to run a correction the next day. There were angry letters to the editor. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/splain-this-far-side-cartoon-to-me/346223.md?page=2)