A riddle on the name of the “Hamburglar” (a character in McDonald’s restaurant commercials) is:
Q: What do you call a pig thief?
A: A ham-burglar.
The joke has been cited in print since at least 1993.
McDonald’s Wikia: Hamburglar
The Hamburglar is a McDonaldland character who features in McDonald’s commercials. He is a close friend of Ronald McDonald, Grimace, and Birdie. Even though he has always attempted (and failed) to hoard all the hamburgers in McDonaldland for himself, he has always been looked upon as a valued member of the McDonaldland community.
Hamburglar was voiced by Howard Morris in most commercials, Charlie Adler in some 1980s commercials and “The Wacky Adventures of Ronald McDonald”; and Carl W. Wolfe in some 1990s commercials. He was portrayed by Tommy Vicini from 1992-2003 after brief stints in the 1980s sharing the role with 20 year veteran Frankie Delfino (1971-1991).
14 November 1993, Palladium-Item (Richmond, IN), Stage 1 sec., pg. 1, col. 1:
Q: What do you call a pig thief?
A: A ham-burglar.
18 December 1996, The Sun (London, UK), pg. 5:
What do you call a pig thief? A ham burglar!
Google Groups: rec.humor
Two dozen crackers
David Bridges
6/23/97
(...)
What do you call a pig thief?
A hamburglar.
Twitter
Charles Fenner‏
@ChasFenner
Q: What do you call a pig thief? A: A Ham-burglar.
5:59 PM - 27 Apr 2009
Google Books
The Ultimate Kid’s Joke Book
By Peter Coup
London, UK: Arcturus Publishing Limited
2013
Pg. ?:
What do you call a pig thief?
A hamburglar!
Google Books
Peppa Pig Jokes For Kids
By Jack Jokes
PeteyRF Creative
2016
Pg. ?:
What do you call a pig thief?
A hamburglar.
SORTEDfood
The 26 Worst Food Jokes You Have Ever Heard
26th March 2016
(...)
26. What do you call a pig thief?
A hamburglar
Above, a 1934 plaque from the Big Apple Night Club at West 135th Street and Seventh Avenue in Harlem. Discarded as trash in 2006. Now a Popeyes fast food restaurant on Google Maps.
Recent entries:
•“I read old books because I would rather learn from those who built civilization than those who tore it down” (4/18)
•“I study old buildings because I would rather learn from those who built civilization than those who tore it down” (4/18)
•“Due to personal reasons, I’m still going to be fluffy this summer” (4/18)
•“Do not honk at me. My life is worthless. I will kill us both” (bumper sticker) (4/18)
•Entry in progress—BP16 (4/18)
More new entries...
Above, Big Apple Corner at 54th Street and Broadway in Manhattan. Google Maps. Stolen and missing, 2021-2024.
Above, John J. Fitz Gerald, from the Aug. 15, 1931, Binghamton (NY) Press, pg. 14.
Listen to Robert Emmerich introduce "The Big Apple," a hit song from 1937. Music written by Bob and performed by Tommy Dorsey's Clambake Seven with Bob on piano. Lyrics written by Buddy Bernier and sung by Edythe Wright. Audio provided by Dorothy Emmerich.
Also listen to a 1937 "The Big Apple" song by Ozzie Nelson and his Orchestra. See a 1929 photo of John J. Fitz Gerald and a 1931 photo of John J. Fitz Gerald.
This site is edited by Barry Popik. These are the Cookies and Privacy Policies.